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^   LIBRARY  ^ 

UNIV.::?3ITY   OP 
C    UF-^KNIA 
S  .N  DIEGO 

J 


V.I 


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''uonjit^  m(Q)']Bismr  cow  faieiiis 


■'V*/i/,i/^  //.//•///:'//  A 


I'uhlished  bv  'llcknor  a_nd  fields.  Boston.  185y 


WAYERLEY     NOYELS. 


HOUSEHOLD     EDITION. 


■«^<e-^ 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS. 
I. 


BOSTON: 
TICK  NOR     AND     FIE  I.  OS. 

M  DCCC  LIX. 


Rrvr.RsiDE,    CAMnRinoF, : 

STEREOTYPED      AND      PRINTKI>      DT 
H.    0.    BOVOHTON    AND    COMPANY. 


COUNT    ROBERT     OF    PARIS. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS. 


The  European  with  the  Asian  shore — 

Sophia's  cupola  with  golden  gleam — 
The  cypress  groves — Olympus  high  and  hoar — 

The  twelve  isles,  and  the  more  than  I  could  dream, 
Far  less  describe,  present  the  very  view 
That  charm'd  the  charming  Mary  Montagu 

Don  Jcan. 


ADVERTISKMENT (1838.) 

Sir  Walter  Scott  transmitted  from  Naples,  in 
February  1832,  an  Introduction  for  Castle  Danger- 
ous ;  but  if  he  ever  wrote  one  for  a  second  edition  of 
Robert  of  Paris,  it  has  not  been  discovered  among  his 
papers. 

Some  notes,  chiefly  extracts  from  the  books  which  he 
had  been  observed  to  consult  while  dictating  this  novel, 
are  now  appended  to  its  pages ;  and  in  addition  to  what 
the  author  had  given  in  the  shape  of  historical  informa- 
tion respecting  the  principal  real  persons  introduced,  the 
reader  is  here  presented  with  what  may  probably  amuse 
him,  the  passage  of  the  Alexiad,  in   which  Anna  Com- 


6  WAVI'.UI.r.Y     NOVKI.S. 

neiia  dr-crilif^    ilic    incident   wliicli  originMllv.  no  donl)!, 
dr'toniiincd  Sir  Waltor'a  olioicc  of  a  hero. 

May,  A.D.  1007. — "As  for  the  rauhitude  of  those  who 
advanced  towards  the  great  city,  let  it  be  enough  to 
8ay  tliat  they  were  as  the  stars  in  the  heaven,  or  :is  the 
8aiid  upon  tlie  sea-sliorc.  They  were,  in  the  words  of 
Homer,  as  many  as  the  leaves  and  Jluivcrs  of  spriny. 
But  for  the  names  of  the  leaders,  though  they  are  present 
in  my  memory,  I  will  not  relate  them.  The  numbers  of 
these  would  alone  deter  me,  even  if  my  language  fur- 
nished the  means  of  expressing  their  IjupIimious  sounds; 
and  for  what  purpose  should  I  afflict  my  readers  with  a 
long  enumeration  of  the  name.-  of  those,  whose  visible 
presence  gave  so  much  horror  to  all  that  beheld  tii<in  ? 

"As  soon,  therefore,  as  they  approached  the  Great 
City,  they  occupied  the  station  appointed  for  them  by  the 
Emperor,  near  to  the  monastery  of  Cosmidiu.-.  IJiit  thi> 
multitude  were  not,  like  the  Hellenic  one  of  old,  tu  !»• 
restrained  and  governed  by  the  loud  voices  of  nine 
heralds;  they  required  the  constant  superintendence  of 
chosen  and  valiant  soldiers,  to  keep  them  from  vioI.it iiiL' 
the  commands  of  the  Emperor. 

"He,  meanliuK;,  laboured  to  obtain  from  the  other 
leaders  that  acknowledgment  of  his  su[)reme  authority, 
which  liad  already  been  drawn  from  Godfn^y  \YavTo<ppt'\ 
him.self  JJuf,  notwithstanding  the  willingness  of  smw  to 
accede  to  thi.'^  propo.'^al,  and  their  assistance  in  working 
on  the  minds  of  their  associates,  the  Emperor's  endeav- 
ours had  little  succe.-js,  as  the  majority  were  looking  for 
the  arrival  of  Bohemund  [Bai//ovrof],  in  whom  they  placed 
their  chief  confidtMice,  and  resorted  to  every  art  with  the 
view  of  gaining  time.  The  Emperor,  whom  it  was  not 
ea->y  to  deceive,  penetrated  their  motives  ;  and  by  granting 


ABVEnXISKMKNT  TO   COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.         7 

to  one  powerful  person  demands  which  had  been  supposed 
out  of  all  bounds  of  expectation,  and  by  resorting  to  a 
variety  of  other  devices,  he  at  length  prevailed,  and  won 
general  assent  to  the  following  of  the  example  of  God- 
frey, who  also  was  sent  for  in  person  to  assist  in  this 
business. 

"  All,  therefore,  being  assembled,  and  Godfrey  among 
them,  the  oath  was  taken ;  but  when  all  was  finished,  a 
certain  Noble  among  these  Counts  had  the  audacity  to 
seat  himself  on  the  throne  of  the  Emperor.  [To?„,«)?CTaf  ng 
uKO  navTuv  tuv  kojx7jtuv  evyevijg  elg  tov  CKiimoda  tov  Baailecjf; 
Ena'&i.cytv.']  The  Emperor  restrained  himself  and  said 
nothing,  for  he  was  well  acquainted  of  old  with  the 
nature  of  the  Latins. 

"But  the  Count  Baldwin  [Ba/idovivog'^  stepping  forth, 
and  seizing  him  by  the  hand,  dragged  him  thence,  and 
with  many  reproaches  said,  '  It  becomes  thee  not  to  do 
such  things  here,  especially  after  having  taken  the  oath 
of  fealty.  [^dovXeiav  vKoaxounu.^  It  is  not  the  custom  of 
the  Roman  Emperors  to  permit  any  of  their  inferiors  to 
sit  beside  them,  not  even  of  such  as  are  born  subjects  of 
their  empire ;  and  it  is  necessary  to  respect  the  customs 
of  the  country.'  But  he,  answering  nothing  to  Baldwin, 
stared  yet  more  fixedly  upon  the  Emperor,  and  muttered 
to  himself  something  in  his  own  dialect,  which,  being  in- 
terpreted, was  to  this  effect — '  Behold,  what  rustic  fellow 
[^wpin/f]  is  this,  to  be  seated  alone  while  such  leaders 
stand  around  him ! '  The  movement  of  his  lips  did  not 
escape  the  Emperor,  who  called  to  him  one  that  under- 
stood the  Latin  dialect,  and  inquired  what  words  the  man 
had  spoken.  When  he  heard  them,  the  Emperor  said 
nothing  to  the  other  Latins,  but  kept  the  thing  to  himself. 
When,  however,  the  business  was  all  over,  he  called  near 


S  WAVK.ni.KV    NoVKt.S. 

to  him  liy  liiinsclf  tliat  ^welling  and  .-liaiiK-Ii'-*  Latin 
^i-\l>Ti}u)<j>pova  iKcnov  ^a(  dj'a(('//j,  aiul  asked  (if  liiiii  who  lie 
was,  of  wliaf  liiicagf,  and  from  what  region  lie  had  eome. 
'lama  Frank,'  said  he, 'of  pure  blood,  of  the  Nobles. 
One  thuig  I  know,  that  where  three  roads  meet  in  the 
jdace  from  which  I  eame,  there  is  an  ancient  ehiireh,  in 
which  whosoever  has  the  desire  to  measure  himself 
against  another  in  single  combat,  prays  God  to  help  him 
therein,  and  afterwards  abides  the  coming  of  one  willing 
to  encounter  him.  At  that  spot  long  time  did  I  i-emain, 
but  the  man  bold  enough  to  stand  against  me  I  foinid  not.' 
Hearing  these  words,  the  Em])eror  said,  '  If  hilherto  thou 
hast  sought  battles  in  vain,  the  time  is  at  hand  whicli  will 
furnish  thee  with  abundance  of  them.  And  1  advise 
thee  to  i)lace  thyself  neither  before  the  phalanx,  nor  in 
its  rear,  but  to  slaml  fa^t  in  the  niid-l  of  tiiy  fellow-sol- 
diers ;  for  of  oM  tiuu;  1  am  well  acipiainted  with  the  war- 
fare of  the  Turks.'  With  such  advice  lie  dismissed  not 
only  this  man,  but  the  rest  of  those  who  were  about  to 
depart  on  that  expedition." — Alcjciad,  Book  x.  pp.  287. 
238. 

Dueangc,  as  is  mentioned  in  the  novel,  identities  the 
church,  thus  described,  by  the  crusader,  with  that  of  Our 
Liuly  of  Soissons,  of  which  a  French  poet  of  the  days  of 
Loui?  VII.  sa3s — 

VciUur  y  voiit  encore  li  I'eleriu 

Cil  qui  bsituillc  veulent  fere  ct  fouriiir. 

DucANGE  in  Alexind,  p.  Hfi. 

'Die  Trinee-s  Anna  Comnena,  it  may  be  propei-  to 
observe,  was  born  on  the  first  of  December,  a.m.  108.'{, 
and  was  con.xHpieiitly  in  \\tir  (ifteenth  year  wlu-n  the 
chiefs  of  the  lir.«t  crusade  made  their  ai)|iearance  in  b<r 
father'-  court.      Kven  tlicn,  however,  it    i-  nol  inijunlialiie 


ADVEUTISKMKXT  TO  COUNT  ROBEUT  OF  PARIS.  9 

that  .she  might  have  been  the  wife  of  Nicephorus  Bryen- 
niiis,  whom,  many  years  after  his  death,  she  speaks  of  in 
her  history  as  tov  eiiov  Kaiaapa,  and  in  other  terms  equally 
affectionate.  The  bitterness  with  which  she  uniformly 
mentions  Bohemund,  Count  of  Tarentum,  afterwards 
Prince  of  Antioch,  has,  however,  been  ascribed  to  a  dis- 
appointment in  love ;  and  on  one  remarkable  occasion, 
the  Princess  certainly  expressed  great  contempt  of  her 
husband.  I  am  aware  of  no  other  authorities  for  the 
liberties  taken  with  this  lady's  conjugal  character  in  the 
novel. 

Her  husband,  Nicephorus  Bryennius,  was  tlie  grandson 
of  the  person  of  that  name,  who  figures  in  history  as  the 
rival,  in  a  contest  for  the  imperial  tlu-one,  of  Nicephorus 
Botoniates.  He  was,  on  his  marriage  with  Anna  Com- 
nena,  invested  with  the  rank  of  Panliypersebastos,  or 
Omnium  Augustissimiis ;  but  Alexius  deeply  oflPended 
him,  by  afterwards  recognising  the  superior  and  simpler 
dignity  of  a  Sebastos.  His  eminent  qualities,  both  in 
peace  and  war,  are  acknowledged  by  Gibbon :  and  he  has 
left  us  four  books  of  Memoirs,  detailing  the  early  part  of 
his  father-in-law's  history,  and  valuable  as  being  the  work 
of  an  eye-witness  of  the  most  important  events  Avhich  he 
describes.  Anna  Comnena  appears  to  have  considered  it 
her  duty  to  take  up  the  task  which  her  husbaud  had  not 
lived  to  complete ;  and  hence  the  Alexiad — certainly, 
with  all  its  defects,  the  first  historical  work  that  has  as 
yet  proceeded  from  a  female  pen. 

"The  life  of  the  Emperor  Alexius,"  (says  Gibbon,) 
"  has  been  delineated  by  the  pen  of  a  favourite  daughter, 
who  was  inspired  by  tender  regard  tor  his  person,  and  a 
laudable  zeal  to  perpetuate  his  virtues.  Conscious  of  the 
just  suspicion    of  her  readers,   the   Princess  repeatedly 


10  W,\Vr.KI.KV    NOVKI-S. 

protests,  that,  bc-iides  lier  personal  kno\vledg«^,  slu;  had 
searched  the  discourses  and  writings  of  the  most  respect- 
able veterans ;  and  that  after  an  interval  of  thirty  years, 
forgotten  by,  and  forgetful  of  the  world,  her  mournful  sol- 
itude was  inaccessible  to  hope  and  fear;  that  truth,  the 
naked  perfect  truth,  was  more  dear  than  the  memory 
of  her  parent.  Yet  instead  of  the  simplicity  of  style  and 
narrative  whicli  wins  our  belief,  an  elaborate  affectation 
of  rhetoric  and  science  betrays  in  every  page  the  vanity 
of  a  female  author.  Tlie  genuine  character  of  Alexius 
is  lost  in  a  vague  constellation  of  virtues  ;  and  the  per- 
petual strain  of  panegyric  and  apology  awakens  our  jeal- 
ousy, to  question  the  veracity  of  the  historian,  and  the 
merit  of  her  hero.  We  cannot,  however,  refuse  her  judi- 
cious and  important  remark,  that  the  disorders  of  the 
times  were  the  misfortune  and  the  glory  of  Alexius ;  and 
that  every  calamity  which  can  afflict  a  declining  empire 
was  accumulated  on  his  reign  by  the  justice  of  Heaven 
and  the  vices  of  his  predecessors.  In  the  east,  the  victo- 
rious Turks  had  spread,  from  Persia  to  the  Hellespont, 
the  reign  of  the  Koran  and  the  Crescent ;  the  west  was 
invaded  by  the  adventurous  valour  of  the  Xormans  ;  and, 
in  the  moments  of  peace,  the  Danube  poured  forth  nfjw 
swarms,  who  had  gained  in  the  science  of  war  what  they 
had  lost  in  the  lerociousness  of  their  manners.  The  sea 
was  not  less  hostile  than  the  land  ;  and,  while  the  fron- 
tiers were  assaulted  by  an  open  enemy,  the  palace  was  di.— 
tracted  with  secret  conspiracy  and  treason. 

"  On  a  sudden,  the  banner  of  the  Cross  was  displayed 
by  the  Latins ;  Europe  was  precipitated  on  Asia ;  and 
Cf)nstantino]ile  had  almost  been  swept  away  by  this  im- 
petuous deluge.  Jn  the  tempest,  Alexius  steered  the 
Imperial    vessel    witli    dexterity    and    ('(jurage.      At    the 


ADVERTISEMENT  TO  COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.   11 

head  of  his  armies,  he  was  bold  in  action,  skilful  in  strat- 
agem, patient  of  fatigue,  ready  to  improve  his  advantages, 
and  rising  from  his  defeats  with  inexhaustible  vigour. 
The  discipline  of  the  camp  was  reversed,  and  a  new  gen- 
eration of  men  and  soldiers  was  created  by  the  precejjts 
and  example  of  their  leader.  In  his  intercourse  with  the 
Latins,  Alexius  was  patient  and  artful ;  his  discerning 
eye  pervaded  the  new  system  of  an  unknown  world. 

"  The  increase  of  the  male  and  female  branches  of  his 
family  adorned  the  throne,  and  secured  the  succession ; 
but  their  princely  luxury  and  pride  offended  the  patri- 
cians, exhausted  the  revenue,  and  insulted  the  misery  of 
the  people.  Anna  is  a  faithful  witness  that  his  happiness 
was  destroyed  and  his  health  broken  by  the  cares  of  a 
j)ublic  life ;  the  patience  of  Constantinople  was  fatigued 
by  the  length  and  severity  of  his  reign  ;  and  before  Alex- 
ius expired,  he  had  lost  the  love  and  reverence  of  his 
subjects.  The  clergy  could  not  forgive  his  application 
of  the  sacred  riches  to  the  defence  of  the  state  ;  but  they 
applauded  his  theological  learning,  and  ardent  zeal  for 
the  orthodox  faith,  which  he  defended  with  his  tongue,  his 
pen,  and  his  sword.  Even  the  sincerity  of  his  moral  and 
religious  virtues  was  suspected  by  the  persons  who  had 
passed  their  lives  in  his  confidence.  In  his  last  hours, 
when  he  was  pressed  by  his  wife  Irene  to  alter  the  suc- 
cession, he  raised  his  head,  and  breathed  a  pious  ejacula- 
tion on  the  vanity  of  the  world.  The  indignant  reply  of 
the  Empress  may  be  inscribed  as  an  epitaph  on  his  tomb, 
— '  You  die,  as  you  have  lived — a  hypocrite.' 

"  It  was  the  wish  of  Irene  to  supplant  the  eldest  of  her 
sons  in  favour  of  her  daughter,  the  Princess  Anna,  whose 
philosophy  would  not  have  refused  the  weight  of  a  dia- 
dem.    But  the  order  of  male  succession  was  asserted  by 


12  WAVr.IU.KV    NOVKLS. 

tlu!  friends  of  tluir  country  ;  tlic  lawful  heir  drew  the 
royal  signet  from  the  finger  of  his  insensible  or  conscious 
father,  and  the  empire  obeyed  the  master  of  the  palace. 
Aiuia  Cuuiiiena  was  Ptiiinilat«'<l  l)y  an\bition  and  revenge 
tu  conspire  against  tlie  life  of  her  brother;  and  when  the 
design  was  prevented  by  the  fears  or  scruples  of  inr  liu>- 
batul,  she  passionately  exclaimed  that  nature  had  mis- 
taken the  two  sexes,  and  had  endowed  Bryennius  with 
the  soul  of  a  woman.  After  the  discovery  of  her  treason, 
the  life  and  fortune  of  Anna  were  justly  forfeited  to  the 
laws.  Her  life  was  sj)ared  by  the  clemency  of  the  Em- 
peror, but  he  visited  the  pomp  and  treasures  of  her  palace, 
and  bestowed  the  rich  confiscation  on  the  most  deserving 
of  his  friends."' — History  of  the  Decline  and  Fall  of  the 
Jiomun  Empire,  chap,  xlviii. 

The  year  of  Anna's  ilcatli  is  nowhere  recorded.  She 
appeal's  to  have  written  the  Alexiad  hi  a  convent  ;  and  to 
have  spent  nearly  thirty  years  in  this  retinuicnl,  hrforc 
her  book  was  j)ublislied. 

For  aceiir;ilc  parliciilars  of  the  [xildic  cvciil--  loiiclird 
on  in  Robert  of  Paris,  lii(3  reader  is  referred  to  the.  abovti 
quoted  author,  chapters  xlviii.  xlix.  and  1. ;  and  to  the 
fir.-t  volume  of  MilU'  History  of  the  Crusades. 

J.  G.  L. 

LoMxix,  1«^  .\fnrch,  1833. 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRKSS.  13 


INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 


JEDEDIAH   CLEISHBOTHAM,  A.M., 

TO  THE  LOVING    READER  WISHETH  HEALTH  AND  PROS- 
PERITY. 

It  would  ill  become  me,  whose  name  has  been  spread 
abroad  by  those  former  collections  bearing  this  title  of 
"  Tales  of  my  Landlord,"  and  who  have,  by  the  candid 
voice  of  a  numerous  crowd  of  readers,  been  taught  to 
think  that  I  merit  not  the  empty  fame  alone,  but  also  the 
more  substantial  rewards,  of  successful  pencraft — it  would, 
I  say,  ill  become  me  to  suffer  this,  my  youngest  literary 
babe,  and,  probably  at  the  same  time,  the  last  child  of 
mine  old  age,  to  pass  into  the  world  without  some  such 
modest  apology  for  its  defects,  as  it  has  been  my  custom 
to  put  forth  on  preceding  occasions  of  the  like  nature. 
The  world  has  been  sufficiently  instructed,  of  a  trutii,  that 
I  am  not  individually  the  person  to  whom  is  to  be  ascribed 
the  actual  inventing  or  designing  of  the  scheme  upon 
which  these  Tales,  which  men  have  found  so  pleasing, 
were  originally  constructed,  as  also  that  neither  am  I  the 
actual  workman,  who,  furnished  by  a  skilful  architect  with 


14  Av.vvr.ni.r.Y  xovf.i.s. 

an  accural'  plan,  iiu-Iiiding  elevations  and  directions  both 
general  and  particular,  lias  from  thence  toiled  fo  bring 
forth  and  complete  the  intended  shape  and  proportion  of 
each  division  of  the  edilice.  Nevertheless,  I  have  been 
indisputably  the  man,  who,  in  placing  my  name  at  the 
head  of  tiie  undertaking,  have  rendered  myself  mainly 
and  principally  responsible  for  its  general  success.  When 
a  ship  of  war  gucth  forth  to  battle  with  her  crew,  con- 
sisting of  sundry  foremast-men  and  various  olficcrs,  such 
subordinate  persons  are  not  said  to  gain  or  lose  the  vessel 
which  they  have  manned  or  attacked,  (allliough  each  was 
natheless  sulliciently  active  in  his  own  department;)  but 
it  is  forthwith  bruited  an<l  noised  abroad,  without  further 
phrase,  that  Captain  Jedediah  Cleishbotham  hath  lost  such 
a  seventy-tour,  or  won  that  which,  by  the  united  exertions 
of  all  thereto  pertaining,  is  taken  from  the  enemy.  In 
the  same  manner,  shame  and  sorrow  it  were,  if  I,  the 
voluntary  Captain  and  founder  of  these  adventures,  after 
having  upon  three  divers  occasions  assumed  to  myself  the 
emolument  and  ifpiitutidii  thereof,  should  now  wiilidraw 
myself  from  the  risks  of  failure  proper  to  this  fourth  and 
last  out-going.  No!  1  will  rather  address  my  a>-ociates 
in  this  bottom  with  the  constant  spirit  of  Mattlnw  Prior's 
heroine : — 

"  Di'l  I  but  purpose  to  embark  with  thee 
On  tlio  smooth  surface  of  some  summer  sea, 
But  woul'l  forsake  the  waves,  and  make  tlio  sliore, 
When  the  wiiiils  wliistle,  and  the  billows  roar?" 

As  little,  ne\erlheies.-,  would  it  lj(,-cuiii(;  my  ycar.^  and 
station  not  to  admit  without  cavil  certain  errors  which 
may  justly  be  j)ointed  out  in  these  concluding  "Tales  of 
my  J>andlord," — the  last,  and  it  is  manifest,  never  care- 


INXnODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  15 

fully  revised  or  corrected  handiwork,  of  Mr.  Peter  Pat- 
ticson,  now  no  more ;  the  same  worthy  young  man  so 
repeatedly  mentioned  in  these  Introductory  Essays,  and 
never  without  that  tribute  to  his  good  sense  and  talents, 
nay,  even  genius,  which  his  contributions  to  this  my  un- 
dertaking fairly  entitled  him  to  claim  at  the  hands  of  his 
surviving  friend  and  patron.  These  pages,  I  have  said, 
were  the  iiltimus  labor  of  mine  ingenious  assistant ;  but  I 
say  not,  as  the  great  Dr.  Pitcairn  of  his  hero — ultimus 
utqiie  optimus.  Alas  !  even  the  giddiness  attendant  on  a 
journey  on  this  Manchester  railroad  is  not  so  perilous  to 
the  nerves,  as  that  too  frequent  exercise  in  the  merxy-go- 
round  of  tUe  ideal  world,  whereof  the  tendency  to  render 
the  fancy  confused,  and  the  judgment  inert,  hath  in  all 
ages  been  noted,  not  only  by  the  erudite  of  the  earth,  but 
even  by  manj^  of  the  thick-witted  Ofelli  themselves ; 
whether  the  rapid  pace  at  which  the  fancy  moveth  in 
such  exercitations,  where  the  wish  of  the  penman  is  to 
him  like  Prince  Houssain's  tapestry,  in  the  Eastern  fable, 
be  the  chief  source  of  peril — or  whether,  without  refer- 
ence to  this  wearing  speed  of  movement,  the  dwelling 
habitually  in  those  realms  of  imagination,  be  as  little 
suited  for  a  man's  intellect,  as  to  breathe  for  any  consider- 
able space  "  the  ditficult  air  of  the  mountain  top  "  is  to 
the  physical  structure  of  his  outward  frame — this  ques- 
tion belongeth  not  to  me ;  but  certain  it  is,  that  we  often 
discover  in  the  works  of  the  foremost  of  this  order  of 
men,  marks  of  bewilderment  and  confusion,  such  as  do 
not  so  frequently  occur  in  those  of  persons  to  whom 
nature  hath  conceded  fancy  weaker  of  wing,  or  less  am- 
bitious in  flight. 

It  is  affecting  to  see  the  great  Miguel  Cervantes  him- 
self, even  like  the  sons  of  meaner  men,  defending  himself 


16  \vavi.km:y   novkls. 

agaiii?it  the  critics  of  the  day,  wlio  nssailcil  liim  upon  siidi 
little  discrepancies  and  inaccuracies  as  are  apt  to  cloud 
the  progress  even  of  a  mind  like  his,  when  the  evening 
is  closing  around  it.  "It  is  (juite  a  common  thing,"  says 
Don  Quixote,  ''  for  men  who  have  gained  a  very  great 
reputation  by  tlnir  writings  before  they  were  printed, 
quite  to  lose  it  afterwards,  or,  at  least,  the  greater  [>art." 
— '•  The  reason  is  plain,"  answers  the  Bachelor  Carrasco ; 
"  their  faults  are  more  easily  discovered  after  the  books 
are  printed  as  being  then  more  read,  and  more  narrowly 
examined,  especially  if  tlic  author  has  been  much  cried 
up  before,  for  then  the  severity  of  tiic  scrutiny  is  sure  to 
be  the  greater.  Those  who  have  raised  themselves  a 
name  by  their  own  ingenuity,  great  poets  and  celebrated 
historians,  are  commonly,  if  not  always,  envied  by  a  set 
of  men  who  delight  in  censuring  the  writings  of  others, 
though  they  could  never  produce  any  of  their  own." — 
"  That  is  no  wonder,"  quoth  Don  Quixote  ;  ''  there  are 
many  divines  that  would  make  but  very  dull  j)reachers, 
and  yet  are  quick  enough  at  finding  fiiults  and  super- 
fluities in  other  men's  sermons." — "All  this  is  true,"  says 
Carrasco,  "and  then-fore  I  could  wish  such  censurers 
would  1)0  inor<'  iiicrciful  and  less  scrupulous,  and  not 
dwell  ungcncroii-ly  upon  small  spots  that  are  in  a  manner 
but  >o  many  atoms  on  the;  face  of  the  clear  sim  they  mur- 
mur at.  If  uUquando  dormitat  Homcrns,  let  them  con- 
sider how  many  nights  he  kept  himself  awake  to  bring  his 
noble  works  to  light  as  little  darkened  with  defects  as 
might  be.  But,  indeed,  it  may  many  tiuKJs  happen,  that 
what  is  censured  for  a  fault,  is  ralher  an  ornament,  as 
moles  often  add  to  the  beauty  of  a  face.  When  all  is 
paid,  he  that  publishes  a  book,  runs  a  great  risk,  sin(;e 
nothing  can  be  so  unlikely  as  that  he  should  have  com- 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  17 

posed  one  capable  of  securing  the  approbation  of  every 
reader." — "  Sure,"  says  Don  Quixote,  "  that  which  treats 
of  me,  can  have  pleased  but  i'ew  ?  " — "  Quite  the  con- 
trary," says  Carrasco ;  "  for  as  injinihis  est  numerus  stul- 
torum,  so  an  infinite  number  have  admired  your  history. 
Only  some  there  are  who  have  taxed  the  author  with 
want  of  memory  or  sincerity,  because  he  forgot  to  give  an 
account  who  it  was  that  stole  Sancho's  Dapple,  for  that 
particular  is  not  mentioned  there,  only  we  find,  by  the 
story,  that  it  was  stolen  ;  and  yet,  by  and  by,  we  find 
him  riding  the  same  ass  again,  without  any  previous  light 
given  us  into  the  matter.  Then  they  say  that  the  author 
forgot  to  tell  the  reader  what  Sancho  did  with  the  hun- 
dred pieces  of  gold  he  found  in  the  portmanteau  in  the 
Sierra  Morena,  for  there  is  not  a  word  said  of  them 
more ;  and  many  people  have  a  great  mind  to  know 
what  he  did  with  them,  and  how  he  spent  them ;  which 
is  one  of  the  most  material  points  in  which  the  work  is 
defective." 

How  amusingly  Sancho  is  made  to  clear  up  the  obscu- 
rities thus  alluded  to  by  the  Bachelor  Carrasco — no  reader 
can  have  forgotten  ;  but  there  remained  enough  of  similar 
lacuncB,  inadvertencies,  and  mistakes,  to  exercise  the  in- 
genuity of  those  Spanish  critics,  who  were  too  wise  in 
their  own  conceit  to  profit  by  the  good-natured  and  mod- 
est apology  of  this  immortal  author. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  if  Cervantes  had  deigned 
to  use  it,  he  might  have  pleaded  also  the  apology  of  in- 
different health,  under  which  he  certainly  laboured  while 
finishing  the  second  part  of  "  Don  Quixote."  It  must  be 
too  obvious  that  the  intervals  of  such  a  malady  as  then 
affected  Cervantes,  could  not  be  the  most  favourable  in 
the  world  for  revising  lighter  compositions,  and   correct- 

VOL.  XLVII.  2 


18  WAVKKI.KV    NoVKl.S. 

ing,  at  least,  those  grosser  errors  and  iinperf'eelioiis  wliieh 
each  author  sliouKl,  if  it  were  but  for  shame's  sake,  re- 
move from  his  work,  before  bringing  it  fortli  into  the 
broad  light  of  day,  when;  they  will  never  fail  to  be  dis- 
tinctly t*een,  nor  lack  ingenious  persons,  who  will  be  too 
happy  in  discharging  the  office  of  pointing  them  out. 

It  is  more  than  time  to  explain  with  what  ]>uri)ose  we 
have  called  thus  fully  to  memory  the  many  veni;d  errors 
of  the  illimitable  Cervantes,  and  those  passages  in  which 
he  has  rather  defied  his  adversaries  than  jileaded  iiis  own 
justification;  for  1  suppose  it  will  be  readily  granted, 
that  the  diflcrence  is  too  wide  betwixt  that  great  wit  of 
Spain  and  ourselves,  to  permit  us  to  use  a  buckler  which 
was  rendered  sufficiently  formidable  only  by  the  strenuous 
hand  in  which  it  was  placed. 

The  history  <.)f  my  first  pubjiiations  is  suflicieiilly  well 
known.  Nor  did  I  ielin(pii>ii  the  ]iurpose  of  concluding 
these  "  Tales  of  my  Landlord,"  wiiich  had  been  so  remark- 
ably fortunate  ;  but  Death,  which  steals  ui)on  us  all  with 
an  inaudible  loot,  cut  short  the  ingenious  young  man  to 
whose  memory  I  composed  that  inscription,  and  erected, 
at  my  own  charge,  that  monument  which  protects  his 
remains,  by  the  side  of  the  river  Gander,  which  he  has 
contributed  so  much  to  render  immortal,  and  in  a  place 
of  his  own  selection,  ncjt  very  distant  from  the  school 
under  my  care.*  In  a  word,  tiie  ingenious  Mr.  Pattieson 
was  removed  from  his  place. 

Nor  did  I  eoiiliiic  niv  care  to  his  poslliumous  fame 
alone,  but  careluUy  inventoried  ami  preserved  the  effects 
which  he  left  Ix-liind  him,  namely,  the  contents  of  his 
small  wardrobe,  and  a  luinibcr  ot    piiiiled   books  of   soine- 

«  Sec  Tol.  iK.  i)f  tliis  Kilition  of  the  Wuvcrley  Novels  p.  31,  for  some 
circuuiaUuceii  ult«iidiiig  tlti«  erection. 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  l9 

wliat  more  consequence,  togetlier  with  certain  wofully 
blurred  manuscripts,  discovered  in  his  repository.  On 
looking  these  over,  I  found  them  to  contain  two  Tales 
called  "  Count  Robert  of  Paris,"  and  "  Castle  Danger- 
ous ; "  but  was  seriously  disappointed  to  perceive  that 
they  were  by  no  means  in  that  state  of  correctness,  which 
would  induce  an  experienced  person  to  pronounce  any 
writing,  in  the  technical  language  of  bookcraft,  "  prepared 
for  press."  There  were  not  only  hiatus  valde  defiendi, 
but  even  grievous  inconsistencies,  and  other  mistakes, 
which  the  penman's  leisurely  revision,  had  he  been  spared 
to  bestow  it,  would  doubtless  have  cleared  away.  After 
a  considerate  perusal,  I  no  question  flattered  myself  that 
these  manuscripts,  with  all  their  faults,  contained  here 
and  there  passages,  which  seemed  plainly  to  intimate  that 
severe  indisposition  had  been  unable  to  extinguish  alto- 
gether the  brilliancy  of  that  fancy  which  the  world  had 
been  pleased  to  acknowledge  in  the  creations  of  Old  Mor- 
tality, the  Bride  of  Lammermoor,  and  others  of  these 
narratives.  But  I,  nevertheless,  threw  the  manuscripts 
into  my  drawer,  resolving  not  to  think  of  committing 
them  to  the  Ballantynian  ordeal,  until  I  could  either  ob- 
tain the  assistance  of  some  capable  person  to  supply  de- 
ficiencies, and  correct  errors,  so  as  they  might  face  the 
public  with  credit,  or  perhaps  numerous  and  more  serious 
avocations  might  permit  me  to  dedicate  my  own  time 
and  labour  to  that  task. 

While  I  was  in  this  uncertainty,  I  had  a  visit  from  a 
stranger,  who  was  announced  as  a  young  gentleman  de- 
sirous of  speaking  with  me  on  particular  business.  I 
immediately  augured  the  accession  of  a  new  boarder,  but 
was  at  once  checked  by  observing  that  the  outward  man 
of  the  stranger  was,  in  a  most  remarkable  degree,  what 


20  wwr.Ki.r.Y  Novr.i.s. 

mine  host  of  the  Sir  AVilliam  "Wallace,  in  hi?  phraseology, 
calls  seedy.  His  black  cloak  had  seen  service;  the  waist- 
coat of  gray  plaid  bore  yet  stronger  marks  of  having 
encountered  more  than  one  campaign  ;  his  tliird  juece  of 
dress  was  an  absolute  veteran  compared  to  the  others ; 
his  shoes  were  so  loaded  with  mud  as  showed  his  journey 
must  have  been  ped(>strian ;  and  a  gray  maiid,  wbicli 
fluttered  around  his  wasted  limbs,  completed  such  an 
erpiipin(Mit  as,  >in('o  diivciiars  days,  lias  been  the  livery 
of  the  poor  scholar.  I  tlicrcf(jre  concluded  that  I  l)i'h('ld 
a  candidate  for  the  vacant  ofTice  of  usiier,  and  prepared 
to  listen  to  his  proposals  with  the  dignity  becoming  my 
station ;  but  what  was  my  surprise  when  I  found  I  had 
before  me,  in  this  rusty  student,  no  less  a  man  than  Paul, 
the  brother  of  Peter  Pattieson,  come  to  gatlier  in  his 
brother's  succession,  and  possessed,  it  seemed,  with  no 
small  idea  of  the  value  of  that  part  of  it  which  consisted 
in  the  productions  of  his  pen  ! 

By  the  rapid  study  I  made  of  him,  this  Paul  was  a 
sharp  lad.  ind)iied  with  some  tincture  of  letters,  like  his 
regretted  Itrotlier,  Itut  totally  destitute  of  those  amiable 
qualities  which  Iiad  often  induced  me  to  say  within  my- 
self, that  Peter  was,  like  the  famous  John  Gay, — 
"  III  wit  n  miin,  simplicity  a  child." 

He  set  little  by  the  legacy  of  my  deceased  assistant's 
wardrobe,  nor  did  the  books  hold  much  greater  value  in 
his  eyes  ;  but  he  peremptorily  demanded  to  be  put  in  pos- 
session of  the  manuscripts,  alleging,  with  obstinacy,  that 
no  definite  bargain  had  been  comph'ted  between  his  late 
brother  and  me,  and  at  length  prndueed  the  opinion  to 
that  effect  of  a  writer,  or  man  of  business. — a  class  of 
persons  with  whom  T  have  always  chosen  to  have  as  little 
concern  as  possible. 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  21 

But  I  had  one  defence  left,  wliicli  came  to  my  aid, 
tanquam  deus  ex  machind.  This  i-apacious  Paul  Pattie- 
son  could  not  pretend  to  wrest  the  disputed  manuscripts 
out  of  my  possession,  unless  upon  repayment  of  a  consider- 
able sum  of  money,  which  I  had  advanced  from  time  to 
time  to  the  deceased  Peter,  and  particularly  to  purchase 
a  small  annuity  for  his  aged  mother.  These  advances, 
with  the  charges  of  the  funeral  and  other  expenses, 
amounted  to  a  considerable  sum,  which  the  poverty-struck 
student  and  his  acute  legal  adviser  equally  foresaw  great 
difficulty  in  liquidating.  The  said  Mr.  Paul  Pattieson, 
therefore,  listened  to  a  suggestion,  which  I  dropped  as  if 
by  accident,  that  if  he  thought  himself  capable  of  filling 
his  brother's  place  of  carrying  the  work  through  the 
press,  I  would  make  him  welcome  to  bed  and  board  within 
my  mansion  while  he  was  thus  engaged,  only  requiring 
his  occasional  assistance  at  hearing  the  more  advanced 
scholars.  This  seemed  to  promise  a  close  of  our  dispute, 
alike  satisfactory  to  all  parties,  and  the  first  act  of  Paul 
was  to  draw  on  me  for  a  round  sum,  under  pretence  that 
his  wardrobe  must  be  wholly  refitted.  To  this  I  made  no 
objection,  though  it  certainly  showed  like  vanity  to  pur- 
chase garments  in  the  extremity  of  the  mode,  when  not 
only  great  part  of  the  defunct's  habiliments  were  very  fit 
for  a  twelvemonth's  use,  but  as  I  myself  had  been,  but 
yesterday  as  it  were,  equipped  in  a  becoming  new  stand 
of  black  clothes,  Mr.  Pattieson  would  have  been  welcome 
to  the  use  of  such  of  my  quondam  raiment  as  he  thought 
suitable,  as  indeed  had  always  been  the  case  with  his  de- 
ceased brother. 

The  school,  I  must  needs  say,  came  tolerably  on.  My 
youngster  was  very  smart,  and  seemed  to  be  so  active  in 
his  duty  of  ushei",  if  I  may  so  speak,  that  he  even  overdid 


22  WAVKKI.KY     NUVKLS. 

his  part  tlicroin.  aii<l  I  ll<'^^'lM  to  feel  myself  a  cipluM-  in 
my  own  si'luiol. 

I  comforted  iiivsclf  wiili  llm  l)olit'f  lliat  llu'  publication 
was  advancing  as  last  as  1  could  dcsin-.  On  this  subject, 
Paul  Patticson,  like  ancient  Pistol.  "  lalkid  liold  wdrds  ftt 
the  bridge,"  and  that  not  only  at  our  house,  but  in  the 
sociely  of  our  neighbours,  amongst  whom,  instead  of  imi- 
tating the  retired  and  monastic  maimer  of  his  brother 
deceased,  he  became  a  gay  visitor,  and  such  a  reveller, 
that  in  process  of  time  he  was  observed  to  vilipend  the 
modest  fare  which  had  at  lirst  been  esteemed  a  ban(iuet 
by  his  hungry  api)elile.  and  thereby  highly  displeased  my 
wife,  who,  with  justice,  applauds  herself  for  the  plentiful, 
cleanly,  and  healthy  victuals,  wherewith  she  maintains 
her  ushers  and  boarders. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  rather  hoped  than  eiiteiiained  a 
sincere  confidence  that  all  was  going  on  well,  and  was  in 
that  uni)leasant  state  of  mind  which  precedes  the  open 
breaili  lietween  two  associates  who  liave  been  long  jeal- 
ous of"  each  other,  but  are  as  yet  deterred  by  a  sense  of 
mutual  interest  from  coming  to  an  open  ruptin-e. 

The  fu'st  thing  wliicli  alarmed  me  \va^  a  nuiioMr  in  the 
village,  that  Paul  I'attiesoii  intended,  in  some  little  space, 
to  innlertake  a  voyage  to  the  Continent — on  account  of 
hi-  health,  as  was  pretended,  but  as  the  same  report 
nverrefl,  nnieh  more  with  the  view  of  gratilying  the;  curi- 
o-ity  which  his  jjcrnsal  of  the  classics  had  impressed  upon 
hiui.  lliaii  for  anv  otiier  piirpoM'.  I  wa-,  I  .-ay,  rather 
alarnuMl  at  thi-  susnmis,  and  began  to  relied  that  the  re- 
tirement of  Mr.  I'aiiie-on,  unh'ss  his  loss  eouhl  be  sup- 
plied in  good  time,  wa>  like  to  be  a  blow  to  the  e>tabli>li- 
ment ;  for,  in  truth,  this  Paul  had  a  winning  way  with 
the  boys,  especially  tlio-e  who  were  geulle-leuipered  ;  so 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  23 

that  I  must  confess  my  doubts,  whether,  in  certain  re- 
spects, I  myself  could  have  fully  suppHed  his  place  in  the 
school,  with  all  my  authority  and  experience.  My  wife, 
jealous  as  became  her  station,  of  Mr.  Pattieson's  inten- 
tions, advised  me  to  take  the  matter  up  immediately,  and 
go  to  the  bottom  at  once ;  and,  indeed,  I  had  always 
found  that  way  answered  best  with  my  boys. 

Mrs.  Cleishbo.iiam  was  not  long  before. renewing  the 
subject ;  for,  like  most  of  the  race  of  Xantippe,  (though 
my  helpmate  is  a  well-spoken  woman,)  she  loves  to  thrust 
in  her  oar  where  she  is  not  able  to  pull  it  to  purpose. 
"  You  are  a  sharp-witted  man,  Mr.  Cleishbotham,"  would 
she  observe,  "  and  a  learned  man,  JMr.  Cleishbotham — 
and  the  schoolmaster  of  Gandercleuch,  Mr.  Cleishbotham, 
which  is  saying  all  in  one  word ;  but  many  a  man  almost 
as  great  as  yourself  has  lost  the  saddle  by  suffering  an 
inferior  to  get  up  behind  him;  and  though,  with  the 
world,  Mr.  Cleishbotham,  you  have  the  name  of  doing 
every  thing,  both  in  directing  the  school  and  in  this  new 
profitable  book  line  which  you  have  taken  up,  yet  it  be- 
gins to  be  the  common  talk  of  Gandercleuch,  both  up  the 
water  and  down  the  Avater,  that  the  usher  both  writes  the 
dominie's  books,  and  teaches  the  dominie's  school.  Ay, 
ay,  ask  maid,  wife,  or  widow,  and  she'll  tell  ye,  the  least 
gaitling  among  them  all  comes  to  Paul  Pattieson  with  his 
lesson  as  naturally  as  they  come  to  me  for  their  four- 
hours,  puir  things ;  and  never  ane  thinks  of  applying  to 
you  aboot  a  kittle  turn,  or  a  crabbed  word,  or  about  ony 
thing  else,  unless  it  were  for  licet  exire,  or  the  mending 
of  an  auld  pen." 

Now,  this  address  assailed  me  on  a  summer  evening, 
when  I  was  whiling  away  my  leisure  hours  with  the  end 
of  a  cutty  pipe,  and  indulging  in  such  bland  imaginations 


24  WAVKHI.KY    NOVKLS. 

jis  thf  Nicotian  wcod  is  wont  to  iirodiico,  mon;  e^pfcially 
iu  the  case  ot"  studious  persons,  devoted  miisis  scren'oribus. 
I  was  naturally  loth  to  leave  my  misty  sanctuary ;  and 
endeavoured  to  silence  the  clamour  of  Mrs.  Cleishhotham's 
tongue,  which  has  somcthinir  in  it  peculiarlv  shrill  and 
penetrating.  "  Woman,"  said  1  with  a  tone  of  domestic 
authority  befitting  the  occasion,  ''res  (tias  ogas ; — mind 
your  washings  and  your  wringings,  your  stuffings  and 
your  physicking,  or  whatever  concerns  the  outward  person 
of  the  pupils,  and  leave  the  progress  of  their  education  to 
my  usher,  Paul  Pattieson,  and  myself." 

"I  am  glad  to  see,"  added  the  accursed  woman,  (that  I 
should  say  so !)  "  that  ye  have  the  grace  to  name  him 
foremost,  for  there  is  little  douljt,  that  he  ranks  first  of 
the  troop,  if  ye  wad  but  hear  what  the  neigiil)oin"s  speak 
— or  whisj)er." 

"  What  do  they  whisj)er,  thou  sworn  sister  of  the  Ku- 
menides?"  cried  I, — the  irritating  cestnim  of  the  woman's 
objurgation  totally  counterlialancing  the  sedative  eti'ects 
both  of  pipe  and  i>ot. 

"Whisper?"  resumed  she  in  her  .-hrillest  note — "why, 
they  whisper  loud  enough  for  me  at  least  to  hear  them, 
that  the  schoolmaster  of  Ganderdeuch  is  turned  a  doited 
auld  woman,  and  spends  all  liis  time  in  tippling  >trong 
drink  with  the  keeper  of  tiie  public-house,  and  leaves 
school  and  bookmaking,  and  a'  the  rest  o't,  to  the  care  of 
his  usher;  and,  al^o,  the  wives  in  (ianderdeuch  say,  that 
you  have  engaged  Paul  Paitiexm  to  write  a  m-w  Itook, 
which  is  to  beat  a'  the  lave  that  gaed  afore  it  ;  and  to 
show  what  a  sair  lift  vou  hav(r  o'  the  job,  you  didna  sae 
rauckle  a>  ken  the  name  r/t — no,  nor  whether  it  was  to 
be  about  some  Heathen  (Ireek,  or  the  Black  Douglas." 

Tills  wiis  said  with  .--uch  bitterness  that  it  penetrated  to 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  25 

the  very  quick,  and  I  hurled  the  poor  ohl  pipe,  like  one 
of  Homer's  spears,  not  in  the  face  of  my  j^i'^^'f  king  help- 
mate, though  the  temptation  was  strong,  but  into  the  river 
Gander,  which,  as  is  now  well  known  to  tourists  from  the 
uttermost  parts  of  the  earth,  pursues  its  quiet  meanders 
beneath  the  bank  on  which  the  schoolhouse  is  pleasantly 
situated ;  and,  starting  up,  fixed  on  my  head  the  cocked 
hat,  (the  pride  of  Messrs.  Grieve  and  Scott's  repository,) 
and  plunging  into  the  valley  of  the  brook,  pursued  my 
way  upwards,  the  voice  of  Mrs.  Cleishbotham  accompany- 
ing me  in  my  retreat  with  something  like  the  angry 
scream  of  triumph  with  which  the  brood-goose  pursues 
the  flight  of  some  unmannerly  cur  or  idle  boy  who  has 
intruded  upon  her  premises,  and  fled  before  her.  Indeed, 
so  great  was  the  influence  of  this  clamour  of  scoi*n  and 
wrath  which  hung  upon  my  rear,  that  while  it  rung  in 
my  ears,  I  was  so  moved  that  I  instinctively  tucked  the 
skirts  of  my  black  coat  under  my  arm,  as  if  I  had  been 
in  actual  danger  of  being  seized  on  by  the  grasp  of  the 
pursuing  enemy.  Nor  was  it  till  I  had  almost  reached 
the  well-known  burial-place,  in  which  it  was  Peter  Pat- 
tieson's  hap  to  meet  the  far-famed  personage  called  Old 
Mortality,  that  I  made  a  halt  for  the  purpose  of  composing 
my  perturbed  spirits,  and  considering  what  was  to  be 
done ;  for  as  y6t  my  mind  was  agitated  by  a  chaos  of 
passions,  of  which  anger  was  predominant ;  and  for  what 
reason,  or  against  whom,  I  entertained  such  tumultuous 
displeasure,  it  was  not  easy  for  me  to  determine. 

Nevertheless,  having  settled  my  cocked  hat  with  be- 
coming accuracy  on  my  well-powdered  wig,  and  suffered 
it  to  remain  uplifted  for  a  moment  to  cool  my  flushed 
brow — having,  moreover,  readjusted  and  shaken  to  rights 
the  skirts  of  my  black  coat,  I  came  into  case  to  answer 


2fi  WAVKKI.I.V    NOVI'.LS. 

to  my  own  quostioiis,  wliicli.  (ill  ihosr  mnnonuvrps  h.ad 
been  sedately  noroniplisliod.  I  miglit  liavo  asked  mystdf 
in  \aiii. 

In  the  first  jdace,  tlicreforo,  to  use  the  plirasc  of  INfr. 
Docket,  tlie  writer  (that  is,  tlie  attorney)  of  our  village 
of  Gandercleuch,  I  became  satisfied  that  my  anger  was 
directed  against  all  and  sundr}',  or  in  law  Latin,  contra 
omnes  morfales,  and  more  particularly  against  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Gandercleuch,  for  circulating  reports  to  the 
prejudice  of  my  literaiy  talents,  as  well  as  my  accom- 
plishments as  a  pedagogue,  ami  tran-f'erring  the  fame 
thereof  to  my  mine  own  u-her.  Secondly,  again-t  my 
spouse,  Dorothea  Cleishbotham,  for  transferring  the  said 
cahmiuious  reports  to  my  ears  in  a  prcrupt  and  unseemly 
manner,  and  without  due  respect  either  to  the  language 
which  she  made  use  of,  or  the  person  to  whom  she  spoke, 
— treating  affairs  in  which  I  was  so  intimately  concerned 
as  if  they  were  proj)er  subjects  for  jest  among  gossips  at  a 
christening,  where  the  womankind  claim  the  privilege  of 
worshipping  the  J^mut  J)ea  according  to  th<ir  secret 
female  rites. 

Thirdly,  I  became  clear  that  I  wa-;  entitled  to  respond 
to  any  whom  it  concerneil  to  inquire,  that  my  wrath  was 
kindled  again-t  Paul  Pattieson,  my  usher,  for  giving 
occasion  liotli  t(>r  the  iwigliboin-s  of  (iaudercleiich  enter- 
taining .»iich  opinions,  and  lor  Mrs.  Cleishbotham  dis- 
respectfully urging  them  to  my  face,  since  neither 
circumstance  could  ha\e  exi-^ted,  without  lie  had  put 
ibrtb  sinful  n)isre|in'<entalion-;  of  tran-actions,  private 
and  confi<lential,  an<l  of  which  I  had  myself  entirely 
refrained  from  dropjiing  any  lie-  lea-l  liint  to  any  lliinl 
person. 

This  arrangement  of  my  idea-  having  contiilinted  to 


INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  27 

soothe  the  stormy  atmosphere  of  which  they  had  been  the 
offspring,  gave  reason  a  time  to  predominate,  and  to  ask 
me,  with  her  calm  but  clear  voice,  whether,  under  all  the 
cii'cumstances,  I  did  well  to  nourish  so  indiscriminate  an 
indignation  ?  In  tine,  on  closer  examination,  the  various 
splenetic  thoughts  I  had  been  indulging  against  other 
parties,  began  to  be  merged  in  that  resentment  against 
my  perfidious  usher,  which,  like  the  serpent  of  Moses, 
swallowed  up  all  subordinate  objects  of  displeasure.  To 
put  myself  at  open  feud  witli  the  Avhole  of  my  neighbours, 
unless  I  had  been  cei'tain  of  some  effectual  mode  of  aveng- 
ing myself  upon  them,  would  have  been  an  undertaking 
too  weighty  for  my  means,  and  not  unlikely,  if  rashly 
grappled  withal,  to  end  in  my  ruin.  To  make  a  public 
quarrel  with  my  wife,  on  such  an  account  as  her  opinion 
of  my  literary  accomplishments,  would  sound  ridiculous  ; 
and,  besides,  Mrs.  C  was  sure  to  have  all  the  women  on 
her  side,  who  would  represent  her  as  a  wife  persecuted 
by  her  husband  for  offering  him  good  advice,  and  urging 
it  upon  him  with  only  too  enthusiastic  sincerity. 

There  remained  Paul  Pattieson,  undoubtedly,  the  most 
natural  and  proper  object  of  my  indignation,  since  I  might 
be  said  to  have  him  in  my  own  power,  and  might  punish 
him  by  dismissal,  at  my  pleasure.  Yet  even  vindictive 
proceedings  against  the  said  Paul,  however  easy  to  be 
enforced,  might  be  productive  of  serious  consequences  to 
my  own  purse  ;  and  I  began  to  reflect,  with  anxiety,  that 
in  this  world  it  is  not  often  that  the  gratification  of  our 
angry  passions  lies  in  the  same  road  with  the  advance- 
ment of  our  interest,  and  that  the  wise  man,  the  vere 
sapiens,  seldom  hesitates  which  of  these  two  he  ought  to 
prefer. 

I  recollected  also  that  I  was  quite  uncertain  how  far 


28  WAVF.ni.KY    NOVKLS. 

tlie  present  usher  luul  rciilly  been  guilty  of  thf  fmil  acts 
of  assumption  cliargeil  against  him. 

In  a  word,  I  began  to  perceive  that  it  would  be  no  liglit 
matter  at  once,  and  without  maturer  pc  rpciiding  of  sundry 
collateral  punctiunctdii,  to  break  up  a  joint-sldck  adven- 
ture, or  society,  as  civilians  term  it,  wliich,  if  profiiabli'  to 
him,  had  at  least  promised  to  be  no  less  so  to  me,  estab- 
lished in  years  and  learning  and  reputation  so  much  his 
superior.  Moved  by  which,  and  other  the  like  considera- 
tions, I  resolved  to  proceed  with  becoming  caution  on  the 
occasion,  and  not,  by  stating  my  causes  of  coin]tlaint  too 
hastily  in  the  outset,  exasperate  into  a  positive  breach  what 
might  only  prove  some  small  misunderstanding,  easily  ex- 
plained or  apologized  for,  and  which,  like  a  leak  in  a  new 
vessel,  being  once  discovered  and  ciirefully  stojiped,  ren- 
ders the  vessel  but  more  seaworthy  than  it  was  before. 

Ai)Out  the  time  that  I  had  adopted  this  healing  resolu- 
tion, I  reached  the  spot  where  the  almost  ))erpendicular 
face  of  a  steep  hill  seems  to  terminate  the  valley,  or  at 
least  divides  it  into  two  dells,  each  serving  as  a  cradle  to 
its  own  mountain-stream,  the  Gruff-quack,  nan>ely,  and 
the  shallower,  but  more  noisy,  Gusedub,  on  the  left  hand, 
which,  at  their  union,  form  the  Gander,  properly  so  called. 
Each  of  these  little  valleys  has  a  walk  winding  up  to  its 
recesses,  rendered  more  easy  by  the  labours  of  the  ]»oor 
during  the  late  hard  season,  and  one  of  which  bears  the 
name  of  Pattieson's  |tatli,  while  the  other  had  been  kindly 
consecrated  to  my  own  niemuiy.  by  the  title  of  the  Domi- 
nie's Daidling-bit.  Here  I  made  certain  to  meet  my  asso- 
ciate, Paul  I'allieson,  fur  by  one  or  other  of  these  roads 
he  was  wont  to  reiinn  to  my  hou>e  of  ;iu  e\eiiiiig,  alter 
his   lengthened   rambles. 

Nor  was  it  long   before  I  e>pied   him  de.-cending  the 


INTllODUCTORY    ADDRESS.  29 

Gusediib  by  that  tortuous  patli,  marking  so  strongly  the 
character  of  a  Scottish  glen.  He  was  easily  distinguished, 
indeed,  at  some  distance,  by  his  jaunty  swagger,  in  which 
he  presented  to  you  the  flat  of  his  leg,  like  the  manly 
knave  of  clul)s,  apparently  with  the  most  perfect  content- 
ment, not  only  with  his  leg  and  boot,  but  with  every  part 
of  his  outward  man,  and  the  whole  fashion  of  his  gar- 
ments, and,  one  would  almost  have  thought,  the  contents 
of  his  pockets. 

In  this,  his  wonted  guise,  he  approached  me,  where 
I  was  seated  near  the  meeting  of  the  waters,  and  I  could 
not  but  discern,  that  his  first  impulse  was  to  pass  me  with- 
out any  prolonged  or  formal  greeting.  But  as  that  would 
not  have  been  decent,  considering  the  terms  on  which  we 
stood,  he  seemed  to  adopt,  on  reflection,  a  course  directly 
opposite ;  bustled  up  to  me  with  an  air  of  alacrity,  and, 
I  may  add,  impudence  ;  and  hastened  at  once  into  the 
middle  of  the  important  affairs  which  it  had  been  my  pur- 
pose to  bring  under  discussion  in  a  manner  more  becoming 
their  gravity.  "  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Mr.  Cleishbotham," 
said  he,  with  an  inimitable  mixture  of  confusion  and  ef- 
frontery ;  "  the  most  wonderful  news  which  has  been 
heard  in  the  literary  world  in  my  time — all  Gandercleuch 
rings  with  it — they  positively  speak  of  nothing  else,  from 
Miss  Buskbody's  youngest  apprentice  to  the  minister  him- 
self, and  ask  each  other  in  amazement,  whether  the  tidings 
are  true  or  false — to  be  sure  they  are  of  an  astounding 
complexion,  especially  to  you  and  me." 

"  Mr.  Pattieson,"  said  I,  "  I  am  quite  at  a  loss  to 
guess  at  your  meaning.  Davus  sum,  non  (Edipus  —  I 
am  Jedediah  Cleishbotham,  Schoolmaster  of  the  parish 
of  Gandercleuch,  no  conjurer,  and  neither  reader  of 
riddles,  nor  expounder  of  enigmata." 


30  WAVr.lJM'.Y    NOVKLS. 

"Well,"  ropliiil  Pjiul  Pattieson,  "  Mr.  Ji'tk-diah  Cleish- 
botliain,  Sclioolmastcr  of  the  parisli  of  Gaiulereleiieh,  and 
so  forth,  all  I  have  to  inform  you  is.  that  our  hopeful 
scheme  is  entirely  l»lown  up.  The  tales,  on  pul)lishing 
which  we  reckoned  with  so  much  confidence,  have  already 
been  printed ;  they  are  abroad  over  all  America,  and  the 
British  pajters  are  clamorous." 

I  received  this  news  with  the  .-nine  ((pianimitN  with 
which  I  -liuiild  iiave  accepted  a  Idow  addressed  to  my 
stomacli  l)y  a  modern  gladiator,  wilii  the  fidl  energy  of 
his  fist.  "  If  this  be  correct  intbrmation,  Mr.  Pattieson," 
said  I,  ''  I  must  of  necessity  suspect  you  to  be  the  person 
who  have  supplied  the  foreign  press  with  the  copy  which 
the  printers  have  thus  made  an  unscrupuhuis  use  of,  with- 
out respect  to  the  rights  of  the  undeniable  j)roprietors  of  the 
manuscripts  ;  and  I  request  to  know  whether  this  Amer» 
ican  production  embraces  the  alterations  which  you  as 
well  as  I  judged  necessary,  before  the  work  could  be 
fitted  to  meet  the  public  eye  ?  "  To  this  my  gentleman 
saw  it  necessary  to  make  a  direct  answer,  for  my  manner 
was  impressive,  and  my  tone  decisive.  His  native  au- 
dacity enabled  him,  however,  to  keep  his  ground,  and  he 
answered  willi  lirnuiess — 

"  Mr.  Cleislibotliam,  in  the  first  place,  these  manu- 
scripts, over  which  you  claim  a  very  doubtful  rigiit,  were 
never  given  to  any  one  by  me,  and  niti>t  liave  Iticn  x-nt 
to  America  either  by  yourself  or  \>\  .-ome  one  <»f  the 
various  gentlemen  to  whom,  I  am  will  aware,  you  have 
afforded  (ip|)()rtMiiilies  of  jifni^ing  my  brother's  MS. 
icmains." 

"Mr.  Pattieson."  I  npli.d.  '•  1  beg  to  rrmind  you  that 
it  never  crtid<l  be  my  intention,  cither  l)y  my  own  hands, 
or  througii  those  of  another,  to  renut  these  manuscripts  to 


INTROnUCTORY    ADDRESS.  31 

the  press,  until,  by  the  aUerations  which  I  meditated,  and 
wliich  you  yourself  engaged  to  make,  they  were  rendered 
fit  for  public  perusal." 

Mr.  Prtttieson  answered  me  with  much  heat : — "  Sir, 
I  would  have  you  to  know,  that  if  I  accepted  your  paltry 
offer,  it  was  with  less  regard  to  its  amount,  than  to  the 
honour  and  literary  fame  of  my  late  brother.  I  foresaw 
that  if  I  declined  it,  you  would  not  hesitate  to  throw  the 
task  into  incapable  hands,  or,  perhaps,  have  taken  it  upon 
yourself,  the  most  unfit  of  all  men  to  tamper  with  the 
works  of  departed  genius,  and  that,  God  willing,  I  was 
determined  to  prevent — but  the  justice  of  Heaven  has 
taken  the  matter  into  its  own  hands.  Peter  Pattieson's 
last  labours  shall  now  go  down  to  posterity  unscathed  by 
the  scalping-knife  of  alteration,  in  the  hands  of  a  false 
friend — shame  on  the  thought  that  the  unnatural  weapon 
could  ever  be  wielded  by  the  hand  of  a  brother  !  " 

I  heard  this  speech  not  without  a  species  of  vertigo  or 
dizziness  in  my  head,  which  would  probably  have  struck 
me  lifeless  at  his  feet,  had  not  a  thought  like  that  of  the 
old  ballad — 

"  Earl  Percy  sees  my  fall," 

called  to  my  recollection,  that  I  should  only  afford  an 
additional  triumph  by  giving  way  to  my  feelings  in  the 
presence  of  Mr.  Paul  Pattieson,  who,  I  could  not  doubt, 
must  be  more  or  less  directly  at  the  bottom  of  the  Trans- 
atlantic publication,  and  had  in  one  way  or  another  found 
his  own  interest  in  that  nefarious  transaction. 

To  get  quit  of  his  odious  presence  I  bid  him  an  un- 
ceremonious good-night,  and  marched  down  the  glen  with 
the  air  not  of  one  who  has  parted  with  a  friend,  but  who 
rather  has  shaken  off"  an  intrusive  companion.     On  the 


32  W.\VI.l;i.l.Y    Ni)VKL9. 

roail  I  poiidcn  il  the  wIkiIc  mattci-  over  willi  an  anxii'fy 
wliicli  d'ul  not  in  llic  sinallrst  (li'gn-c  tend  to  rcl'n'Vt'  mc. 
Had  I  iV'It  ad('([iialc  to  the  exertion,  I  niiglif,  of  course, 
liavc  supplanted  this  spuriou-  rditinu  (of  whieli  tiie  lite- 
rary {razettes  are  already  doling  out  copious  specimens) 
by  introducing  into  a  copy,  to  be  instantly  published  at 
l'jliiil)urgh,  adequate  correction  of  the  various  incon- 
.-istencies  and  imperfections  which  have  already  been 
alluded  to.  1  irmemlx'r  the  easy  victory  of  the  real 
second  part  of  these  "Tah's  of  my  Landlord"  over  the 
performance  sent  forth  by  an  interloper  inider  the  s.ame 
title;  and  why  should  not  the  same  triumph  be  repeated 
now?  There  woidd,  in  short,  have  been  a  pride  of  talent 
in  this  manner  of  avenging  myself,  which  would  have 
been  justitiable  in  the  case  of  an  injured  man ;  but  the 
state  of  my  health  has  for  some  time  been  such  as  to 
render  any  attempt  of  this  nature  in  every  way  im- 
prudent. 

Uiidi'r  such  circuiu.-Uuices,  the  la-t  "Ixeinaiiis"  of 
Peter  Pattieson  must  even  be  accepted,  as  they  were  left 
in  his  desk ;  and  I  humbly  retire  in  the  hope  that,  such 
as  they  are,  they  may  receive  the  indulgence  of  those 
who  have  ever  l)een  but  too  inercihd  to  the  productions 
of  his  pen,  and  in  all  respects  to  the  courleous  reader's 
obliged  >ervaMt, 

J.  c. 

GANi>i;i!M,KUCir,  15W  Oct.  1831. 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Leontius. That  power  that  kindly  spreads 

The  clouds,  a  signal  of  impending  showers, 
To  warn  ihe  wandering  linnet  to  the  shade, 
Belield  without  concern  expiring  Greece, 
And  not  one  prodigy  foretold  our  fate. 

Demetrius. — A  thousand  horrid  prodigies  foretold  it : 
A  feeble  government,  eluded  laws, 
A  factious  populace,  luxurious  nobles, 
And  all  the  maladies  of  sinking  states. 
When  public  villainy,  too  strong  for  justice, 
Shows  his  bold  front,  the  harbinger  of  ruin, 


VOL.  XLVII. 


34  WAVKULKY    NOVELS. 

Ciiii  brave  Ix-oiitius  mil  for  airy  wonJcrs, 
Which  cboute  interpret,  and  which  fools  rcpinl? 

Irenk,  Art  I. 

The  c1o.sc  olj^trvcrd  of  vegetable  nature  have  re- 
marked, that  when  a  new  graft  is  taken  from  an  aged 
tree,  it  possesses  iinleed  in  exterior  form  the  appearance 
of  a  youthful  shoot,  but  has  in  fact  atlaiiicd  to  the  same 
state  of  maturity,  or  even  deeay,  which  has  bc<'n  reached 
by  the  parent  stem.  Hence,  it  is  said,  arises  the  general 
decline  and  death  that  about  the  same  season  is  often 
observed  to  spread  itself  through  individual  trees  of  some 
particular  species,  all  of  which,  deriving  their  vital 
powers  from  the  parent  stock,  are  therefore  incapable 
of  protracting  their  existence  longer  than  it  does. 

In  the  same  manner,  efforts  have  been  made  by  the 
mighty  of  the  earth  to  transplant  large  cities,  states,  and 
communities,  by  one  great  and  sudden  exertion,  expecting 
to  secure  to  the  new  capital  the  wealth,  tlie  dignity,  the 
magnilici'iit  decorations  and  unlimited  extent  of  tlie  an- 
cient city,  which  they  desire  to  renovate  ;  while,  at  the 
same  time,  they  hope  to  begin  a  new  succession  of  ages 
from  the  date  of  the  new  structure,  to  last,  they  imagine, 
as  long,  and  with  as  much  fame,  as  its  predecessor,  which 
the  founder  hopes  his  new  metropolis  may  replace  in  all 
its  youthful  glories.  But  nature  has  her  laws,  which 
seem  to  apply  to  the  social,  as  well  as  the  vegetable 
system.  It  appears  to  be  a  general  rule,  that  what  is  to 
last  long  .-hould  be  slowly  matured  and  gradually  im- 
proved, while  every  sudden  effort,  however  gigantic,  to 
bring  about  the  speedy  execution  of  a  plan  calculated  to 
emlure  for  ages,  is  doomed  to  exhil)it  >ymptoms  of  prema- 
ture decay  from  its  very  commencement.  Thus,  in  a 
beautiful  Oriental  tale,  a  dervi>e  ex|)hiins  to  the  sultan 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  35 

how  he  had  reared  the  magnificent  trees  among  which 
thej  walked,  by  nursing  their  siioots  from  the  seed ;  and 
the  prince's  pride  is  damped  when  he  reflects,  that  those 
phintations,  so  simply  raised,  were  gathering  new  vigour 
from  each  returning  sun,  while  his  own  exhausted  cedars, 
which  had  been  transplanted  by  one  violent  effort,  were 
drooping  their  majestic  heads  in  the  valley  of  Orez.* 

It  has  been  allowed,  I  believe,  by  all  men  of  taste, 
many  of  whom  have  been  late  visitants  of  Constantinople, 
that  if  it  Avere  possible  to  survey  the  whole  globe  with  a 
view  to  fixing  a  seat  of  universal  empire,  all  who  are 
capable  of  making  such  a  choice,  would  give  their  pre- 
ference to  the  city  of  Constantine,  as  including  the  great 
recommendations  of  beauty,  wealth,  security,  and  emi- 
nence. Yet  with  all  these  advantages  of  situation  and 
climate,  and  with  all  the  architectural  splendour  of  its 
churches  and  halls,  its  quarries  of  marble,  and  its  treas- 
ure houses  of  gold,  the  imperial  founder  must  himself 
have  learned,  that  although  he  could  employ  all  these 
rich  materials  in  obedience  to  his  own  wish,  it  Avas  the 
mind  of  man  itself,  those  intellectual  faculties  refined  by 
the  ancients  to  the  highest  degree,  which  had  produced 
the  specimens  of  talent  at  which  men  paused  and  won- 
dered, whether  as  subjects  of  art  or  of  moral  labour. 
The  power  of  the  Emperor  might  indeed  strip  other 
cities  of  their  statues  and  their  shrines,  in  order  to  dec- 
orate that  which  he  had  fixed  upon  as  his  new  capital ; 
but  the  men  who  had  performed  great  actions,  and  those, 
almost  equally  esteemed,  by  whom  such  deeds  were  cele- 
brated, in  poetry,  in  painting,  and  in  music,  had  ceased  to 
exist.  The  nation,  though  still  the  most  civilized  in  the 
world,  had  passed  beyond  that  period  of  society,  when 
*  Tale  of  Mirglip  the  Persian,  in  the  Tales  of  the  Genii. 


3G  WAVKULKV    N'OVELS. 

till'  desire  of  fair  fame  is  of  itself  the  sole  or  chief  motive 
for  the  labour  of  the  historian  or  the  poet,  the  jniinter  or 
the  statuar}'.  The  slavi-h  ami  despotic  constitution  in- 
troduced into  the  empire,  had  lonp;  since  entirely  destroyed 
that  public  spirit  which  animated  the  free  history  of  Rome, 
leaving  nothing  but  feeble  recollections,  which  produced 
no  emulation. 

To  speak  as  of  an  animated  substance,  if  Constantino 
could  have  regenerated  his  new  metropolis,  by  transfusing 
into  it  the  vital  and  vivifying  principles  of  old  Rome, — 
that  brilliant  spark  no  longer  remained  for  Constant inoi>le 
to  borrow,  or  for  Rome  to  leinl. 

In  one  most  important  circumstance,  the  state  of  the 
capital  of  Coivstantine  had  been  totally  changed,  and  un- 
speakably to  its  advantage.  The  world  was  now  Chris- 
tian, and,  with  the  Pagan  code,  had  got  rid  of  its  load  of 
disgraceful  superstition.  Nor  is  there  the  least  doubt, 
that  the  better  faith  produced  its  natural  and  desirable 
fruits  in  society,  in  gradually  ameliorating  the  hearts,  and 
taming  the  passions,  of  the  people,  lint  while  many  of 
the  converts  were  turning  meekly  towards  their  new 
creed,  some,  in  the  arrogance  of  their  understanding,  were 
limiting  the  Scriptures  by  their  own  devices,  and  others 
failed  not  to  make  religious  character  or  spiritual  rank 
the  means  of  rising  to  temporal  power.  Thus  il  lui|)- 
pened  at  this  critical  jieriod,  that  the  effects  of  this  great 
change  in  the  religion  of  the  country,  although  producing 
an  immediati;  harvest,  as  w<'ll  as  sowing  much  good  seed 
which  was  to  grow  hereafter,  did  not,  in  the  fourth  cen- 
turv,  flourish  so  iis  to  shed  at  once  that  predominating 
influence  which  its  principles  might  have  tauglit  nun  to 
expect. 

K\cx\   the  borrowed   -pleiicloiir,  in    wliieh    Consiantine 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  37 

decked  his  city,  bore  in  it  something  which  seemed  to 
mark  premature  decay.  The  imperial  founder,  in  seizing 
upon  the  ancient  statues,  pictures,  obeHsks,  and  works  of 
art,  acknowledged  his  own  incapacity  to  supply  their 
place  with  the  productions  of  later  genius ;  and  when  the 
world,  and  particularly  Rome,  was  plundered  to  adorn 
Constantinople,  the  Emperor,  under  whom  the  woi'k  was 
carried  on,  might  be  compared  to  a  prodigal  youth,  who 
strips  an  aged  parent  of  her  youthful  ornaments,  in  order 
to  decorate  a  flaunting  paramour,  on  whose  brow  all  must 
consider  them  as  misplaced. 

Constantinople,  therefore,  when  in  324  it  first  arose  in 
imperial  majesty  out  of  the  humble  Byzantium,  showed, 
even  in  its  birth,  and  amid  its  adventitious  splendour,  as 
we  have  already  said,  some  intimations  of  that  speedy 
decay  to  which  the  whole  civilized  world,  then  limited 
within  the  Roman  empire,  was  internally  and  impercep- 
tibly tending.  Nor  was  it  many  ages  ere  these  prognos- 
tications of  declension  were  fully  verified. 

In  the  year  1080,  Alexius  Comnenus*  ascended  the 
throne  of  the  Empire ;  that  is,  he  was  declared  sovereign 
of  Constantinople,  its  precincts  and  dependencies ;  nor  if 
he  was  disposed  to  lead  a  life  of  relaxation,  would  the 
savage  incursions  of  the  Scythians  or  the  Hungarians 
frequently  disturb  the  imperial  slumbers,  if  limited  to  his 
own  capital.  It  may  be  supposed  that  this  safety  did  not 
extend  much  farther  ;  for  it  is  said  that  the  Empress  Pul- 
cheria  had  built  a  church  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  as  remote 
as  possible  from  the  gate  of  the  city,  to  save  her  devo- 
tions from  the  risk  of  being  interrupted  by  the  hostile  yell 
of  the  barbarians,  and  the   reigning  Emperor  had  con- 

*  See  Gibbon,  chap,  xlviii.  for  the  origin  and  early  history  of  tho 
house  of  the  Comneni. 


38 


WAVl  Itr.KY    XOVKLS. 


structPtl  a  palaoo  near  tlie  saine  spot,  and  Cov  iIk^  same 
reason. 

Alexius  C  oinncims  was  in  the  eondition  of  a  nidiiarcli 
who  rather  derives  consequence  from  the  weahh  and  im- 
portance of  his  predecessors,  and  the  great  extent  of  their 
original  dominions,  than  from  what  remnants  of  f<)rtnn<i 
had  descendrd  to  the  present  generation.  This  Emperor, 
except  nominally,  no  more  ruled  over  his  dismembered 
provinces,  than  a  half-dead  horse  can  exercise  power  over 
those  limbs,  on  which  the  hooded  crow  and  the  vulture 
have  already  begun  to  settle  and  select  their  prey. 

In  different  parts  of  his  teiiitoi-y,  dilleii-nt  enemies 
arose,  who  waged  successful  or  dubious  war  against  the 
Emperor  ;  and,  of  the  numerous  nations  with  whom  he 
was  engaged  in  hostilities,  whether  the  Fraidis  from  the 
west,  the  Turks  advancing  from  the  east,  the  Cumans  and 
Scythians  pouring  their  barbarous  numbers  and  unceas- 
ing storm  of  arrows  from  the  north,  and  the  Saracens,  or 
the  tribes  into  which  they  were  divided,  pressing  from  the 
south,  there  was  not  one  for  whom  the  Grecian  empire 
did  not  spread  a  tempting  repa>t.  Each  of  these  various 
enemies  had  their  own  ])artieular  habits  of  war,  and  away 
of  maiuenvring  in  lialtle  peculiar  lo  themselves.  15ut  the 
Roman,  as  the  unfortunate  suliject  of  the  Greek  empire 
was  still  called,  was  by  far  the  weakest,  the  most  igno- 
rant, and  most  timid,  who  could  be  dragged  into  the  field ; 
and  the  Emperor  was  happy  in  his  own  good  luck,  when 
he  found  it  j)ossible  to  conduct  a  defensive  war  on  a  coun- 
terbalancing j>rinciiile,  making  use  of  the  Scythian  to 
repel  the  Turk,  or  of  both  these  savage  people  to  drive 
back  tlie  fiery-footed  l''rank.  whom  Peter  the  Hermit 
had,  in  the  lime  of  Alexius,  waked  lo  double  luiy,  l)y  the 
powerful  indueuce  of  the  crusades. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OP  PARIS.  39 

If,  therefore,  Alexius  Comnenus  was,  during  his  anx- 
ious seat  upon  the  throne  of  the  East,  reduced  to  use  a 
base  and  truckling  course  of  policy — if  he  was  sometimes 
reluctant  to  fight  when  he  had  a  conscious  doubt  of  the 
valour  of  his  troops — if  he  commonly  employed  cunning 
and  dissimulation  instead  of  wisdom,  and  perfidy  instead 
of  courage — his  expedients  were  the  disgrace  of  the  age, 
rather  than  his  own. 

Again,  the  Emperor  Alexius  may  be  blamed  for  affect- 
ing a  degree  of  state  which  was  closely  allied  to  imbecil- 
t  ity.  He  was  proud  of  assuming  in  his  own  person,  and 
of  bestowing  upon  others,  the  painted  show  of  various 
orders  of  nobility,  even  now,  when  the  rank  within  the 
prince's  gift  was  become  an  additional  reason  for  the  free 
barbarian  despising  the  imperial  noble.  That  the  Greek 
court  was  encumbered  with  unmeaning  ceremonies,  in 
order  to  make  amends  for  the  want  of  that  veneration 
which  ought  to  have  been  called  forth  by  real  worth,  and 
the  presence  of  actual  power,  was  not  the  particular  fault 
of  that  prince,  but  belonged  to  the  system  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Constantinople  for  ages.  Indeed,  in  its  trumpery 
etiquette,  which  provided  rules  for  the  most  trivial  points 
of  a  man's  behaviour  during  the  day,  the  Greek  Empire 
resembled  no  existing  power  in  its  minute  follies,  except 
that  of  Pekin ;  both,  doubtless,  being  influenced  by  the 
same  vain  wish,  to  add  seriousness  and  an  appearance  of 
importance  to  objects,  which,  from  their  trivial  nature, 
could  admit  no  such  distinction. 

Yet  thus  far  we  must  justify  Alexius,  that  humble  as 
were  the  expedients  he  had  recourse  to,  they  were  more 
useful  to  his  empire  than  the  measures  of  a  more  proud 
and  high-spirited  prince  might  have  proved  in  the  same 
circumstances.     He  was  no  champion  to  break  a  lance 


40  WAVF.nLEY    NOVELS. 

ajrainst  tlio  broastplate  of  his  Frankisli  rival,  tlu'  famous 
Boliomond  of  Aiitioeli,*  but  there  were  many  occasions 
on  wliich  lie  hazarded  his  hfe  freely  ;  and,  so  far  as  we 
can  see,  from  a  minute  perusal  of  his  achievements,  the 
Emperor  of  Greece  was  never  so  dangerous  "  under 
shield,"  as  when  any  foenian  desired  to  stop  him  while 
retreating  from  a  conflict  in  wdiich  he  had  been  worsted. 

But,  besides  that  he  did  not  hesitate,  according  to  the 
custom  of  the  time,  at  least  occasionally,  to  commit  his 
person  to  the  perils  of  close  combat,  Alexius  also  possessed 
such  knowledge  of  a  general's  profession,  as  is  required  in 
our  modern  days.  lie  knew  how  to  occupy  military  posi- 
tions to  the  best  advantage,  and  often  covered  defeats,  or 
improved  dubious  conflicts,  in  a  manner  highly  to  the  dis- 
appointment of  those  who  deemed  that  the  work  of  war 
was  (lone  only  on  the  field  of  battle. 

If  Alexius  Comnenus  thus  understood  the  evolutions 
of  war,  he  was  still  better  skilled  in  those  of  politics, 
where,  soaring  far  above  the  express  purpose  of  his  im- 
mediate negotiation,  the  P^mperor  was  sure  to  gain  some 
important  and  permanent  advantage ;  though  very  often 
be  was  ultimately  defeated  by  the  unblushing  fickleness, 
or  avowed  treachery  of  the  barl)ariaiis,  as  the  Greeks 
generally  tenned  all  other  nations,  and  particularly  those 
tribes,  (they  can  hardly  be  termed  states,)  by  which  their 
own  empire  was  surrounded. 

We  may  conduch;  our  brief  character  of  Comnenus,  by 
saying,  that,  had  he  not  been  calieil  on  to  fill  the  station 

♦  Bohemond,  son  of  Kolicrt  Guiscard,  the  Xonniin  conqueror  of 
Apulia,  Calabria,  and  Sicily,  was,  at  tho  time  when  the  first  crusade 
began,  Count  of  Tareiitnin.  'l'hi>u;;h  far  ailvaiiced  in  lift',  he  eagerly 
joined  the  expedition  of  the  Latins,  and  became  Prince  of  Antioch. 
For  details  of  his  adventures,  death,  and  extraordinary  character,  see 
Gibbon,  chap,  lix.,  and  Hills'  lllslory  of  tlie  Crusades,  vol.  i. 


COUNT   ROBERT    OF   PARIS.  41 

of  a  monarch  who  was  under  the  necessity  of  making  him- 
self dreaded,  as  one  who  was  exposed  to  all  manner  of 
conspiracies,  both  in  and  out  of  his  own  family,  he  might, 
in  all  probability,  have  been  regarded  as  an  honest  and 
humane  prince.  Certainly  he  showed  himself  a  good- 
natured  man,  and  dealt  less  in  cutting  off  heads  and 
extinguishing  eyes,  than  had  been  the  practice  of  his 
predecessors,  who  generally  took  this  method  of  shorten- 
ing the  ambitious  views  of  competitors. 

It  remains  to  be  mentioned,  that  Alexius  had  his  full 
share  of  the  superstition  of  the  age,  vphich  he  covered 
with  a  species  of  hypocrisy.  It  is  even  said,  that  his 
wife,  Irene,  who  of  course  was  best  acquainted  with  the 
real  character  of  the  Emperor,  taxed  her  dying  husband 
with  practising,  in  his  last  moments,  the  dissimulation 
which  had  been  his  companion  during  life.*  He  took 
also  a  deep  interest  in  all  matters  respecting  the  Church, 
where  heresy,  which  the  Emperor  held,  or  affected  to 
hold,  in  great  horror,  appeared  to  him  to  lurk.  Nor  do 
we  discover  in  his  treatment  of  the  Manichfeans,  or  Pauli- 
cians,  that  pity  for  their  speculative  errors,  which  modern 
times  might  think  had  been  well  purchased  by  the  extent 
of  the  temporal  services  of  these  unfortunate  sectaries. 
Alexius  knew  no  indulgence  for  those  who  misinterpreted 
the  mysteries  of  the  Cliurch,  or  of  its  doctrines ;  and  the 
duty  of  defending  religion  against  schismatics  was,  in  his 
opinion,  as  peremptorily  demanded  from  him,  as  that  of 
protecting  the  empire  against  the  numberless  tribes  of 
barbarians  who  were  encroaching  on  its  boundaries  on 
every  side. 

Such  a  mixture  of  sense  and  w^eakness,  of  meanness 
and  dignity,  of  prudent  discretion  and  poverty  of  spirit, 
*  See  Gibbon,  chap.  Ivi. 


•12  WAVr.UI.KV    NOVKLS. 

wliich  last,  ill  the  European  mode  of  viewing  things,  ap- 
proached to  cowardice,  formed  the  leading  traits  of  the 
character  of  Alexius  Comnenus,  at  a  period  when  the 
fate  of  Greece,  and  all  that  was  left  in  that  country  of  art 
and  civilization,  was  trembling  in  the  balance,  and  likely 
to  be  saved  or  lost,  according  to  the  abilities  of  the  Em- 
peror for  jdaying  the  very  <litri(iilt  game  which  was  put 
into  his  liands. 

These  few  leading  circumstances  will  recall,  to  any  one 
who  is  tok'ral)ly  well  read  in  history,  the  peculiarities  of 
the  period  at  wliich  we  have  found  a  resting-place  for  the 
foundation  of  our  storv. 


»s$I^C"-'^RoG» 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  43 


CHAPTER  II. 

Othus. ■  This  superb  successor 

Of  the  earth's  mistress,  as  thou  vainly  speakest, 
Stancl"^  midst  these  ages  as,  on  the  wide  ocean, 
The  last  spared  fragment  of  a  spacious  land. 
That  in  some  grand  and  awful  ministration 
Of  mighty  nature  has  engulfed  been. 
Doth  lift  aloft  its  dark  and  rocky  cliffs 
O'er  the  wild  waste  around,  and  sadly  frowns 
In  lonely  majesty. 

CoNSTANTiNE  Paleologus,  Scene  I. 

Our  scene  in  the  capital  of  the  Eastern  Empire  opens 
at  what  is  termed  the  Golden  Gate  of  Constantinople ; 
and  it  may  be  said  in  passing,  that  this  splendid  epithet  is 
not  so  lightly  bestowed  as  may  be  expected  from  the 
inflated  language  of  the  Greeks,  which  throws  such  an 
appearance  of  exaggeration  about  them,  their  buildings, 
and  monuments. 

The  massive,  and  seemingly  impregnable  walls  with 
which  Constantino  surrounded  the  city,  were  greatly  im- 
proved and  added  to  by  Theodosius,  called  the  Great. 
A  triumphal  arch,  decorated  with  the  architecture  of  a 
better,  though  already  a  degenerate  age,  and  serving,  at 
the  same  time,  as  a  useful  entrance,  introduced  the  stran- 
ger into  the  city.  On  the  top,  a  statue  of  bronze  repre- 
sented Victory,  the  goddess  who  had  inclined  the  scales 
of  battle  in  favour  of  Theodosius  ;  and,  as  the  artist  de- 
termined to  be  wealthy  if  he  could  not  be  tasteful,  the 


44  WAVKKI.KY    NOVKL.S. 

gilded  ornaments  with  which  the  inscriptions  were  set  off, 
readily  led  to  the  popular  name  of  the  gate.  Figures 
carved  in  a  distant  and  happier  period  of  the  art,  glanced 
from  the  walls,  without  assorting  happily  witli  the  taste  in 
which  these  were  built.  The  more  modern  ornaments  of 
the  Golden  Gate  bore,  at  the  period  of  our  story,  an  aspect 
very  different  from  those  indicating  the  "conquest  brougiit 
back  to  the  city,"  and  the  "■  eternal  peace  "  wliich  the  Hat- 
tering  inscriptions  recorded  as  having  been  extorted  by 
the  sword  of  Theodosius.  Four  or  five  military  engines, 
for  throwing  darts  of  the  largest  size,  were  placed  upon 
the  summit  of  the  arch  ;  and  what  had  been  originally 
designed  as  a  specimen  of  architectural  eml)ellishnient, 
was  now  applied  to  the  purposes  of  defence. 

It  was  the  hour  of  evening,  and  the  cool  and  refreshing 
breeze  from  the  sea  inclined  each  passenger,  whose  busi- 
ness was  not  of  a  very  urgent  description,  to  loiter  on  his 
way,  and  cast  a  glance  at  the  romantic  gateway,  and  the 
various  interesting  objects  of  nature  and  art,  which  the 
city  of  Constantinople  presented,  as  well  to  the  inhabitants 
as  to  strangers.* 


*  The  imprcssiou  which  the  impcrinl  city  was  calculated  to  make 
on  such  visitors  as  the  Crusaders  of  the  West,  is  given  by  the  ancient 
French  chronicler  Villehardouin,  who  was  present  at  tlie  capture  of 
A.i>.  1203.  "  When  we  liad  come,"  he  says,  "  within  three  leapues, 
to  a  certain  Abbey,  then  we  could  plainly  sur^-ey  Constantinople. 
There  the  ships  and  the  galleys  came  to  anchor;  and  much  did  they 
who  had  never  been  in  that  qnartor  l)efore,  gaze  upon  the  city.  That 
such  a  city  could  be  in  the  world  tlicy  had  never  conceived,  and  they 
were  never  weary  of  staring  at  the  high  walls  ami  towers  with  which 
it  was  entirely  cncompa-sscd,  the  rich  palaces  and  lofty  churches,  of 
which  there  were  so  many  that  no  one  could  have  believed  it,  if  he 
had  not  seen  with  his  own  eyes  that  city,  the  Queen  of  all  cities. 
And  know  that  there  was  not  so  bold  a  heart  there,  tliut  it  did  not  feel 
some  terror  at  the  strength  of  Constantinople." — Chap.  66. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  45 

One  individual,  however,  seemed  to  indulge  more 
wonder  and  curiosity  than  could  have  been  expected 
from  a  native  of  the  city,  and  looked  upon  the  rarities 
around  with  a  quick  and  startled  eye,  that  marked  an 
imagination  awakened  by  sights  that  were  new  and 
strange.  The  appeai'ance  of  this  person  bespoke  a 
foreigner  of  military  habits,  who  seemed,  from  his  com- 
plexion, to  have  his  birthplace  far  from  the  Grecian 
metropolis,  wdiatever  chance  had  at  present  brought  him 
to  the  Golden  Gate,  or  whatever  place  he  filled  in  the 
Emperor's  service. 

This  young  man  was  about  two-and-twenty  years  old, 
remarkably  finely-formed  and  athletic — qualities  well  un- 
derstood by  the  citizens  of  Constantinople,  whose  habits 
of  frequenting  the  public  games  had  taught  them  at  least 
an  acquaintance  with  the  human  person,  and  where,  in 
the  select  of  their  own  countrymen,  they  saw  the  hand- 
somest specimens  of  the  human  race. 

These  were,  however,  not  generally  so  tall  as  the 
stranger  at  the  Golden  Gate,  while  his  piercing  blue 
eyes,  and  the  fair  hair  which  descended  from  under  a 
hght  helmet  gaily  ornamented  with  silver,  bearing  on  its 
summit  a  crest  resembling  a  dragon  in  the  act  of  expand- 
ing its  terrible  jaws,  intimated  a  northern  descent,  to 
which  the  extreme  purity  of  his  complexion  also  bore 
witness.  His  beauty,  however,  though  he  was  eminently 
distinguished  both  in  featui-es  and  in  person,  was  not 
liable  to   the  charge  of  effeminacy.     From   this   it  was 

Again, — "And  now  many  of  those  of  the  host  went  to  see  Constan- 
tinople within,  and  the  rich  palaces  and  stately  churches,  of  which  it 
possesses  so  many,  and  the  riches  of  the  place,  which  are  such  as  no 
other  city  ever  equalled.  I  need  not  speak  of  the  sanctuaries,  which 
are  as  many  as  are  in  all  the  world  beside." — Chap.  100. 


46  AV.VVKKI.KV    XOVICI.S. 

rescued,  hotli  hy  his  .stivngili,  ami  l>y  tlio  air  of  confi- 
dence and  self-possession  witli  which  the  youth  seemed  to 
regard  the  wonders  ari>und  him,  not  indicating  the  stupid 
and  helj)Iess  gaze  of  a  mind  equally  inexperienced,  and 
incapal)le  of  receiving  instruction,  hut  ex[)ressing  the 
bold  intellect  which  at  once  understands  the  greater 
part  of  the  information  which  it  receives,  and  commands 
the  spirit  to  toil  in  search  of  the  meaning  of  that  which  it 
lia^  not  comprehended,  or  may  fear  it  has  misinterpreted. 
This  look  of  awakened  attention  and  intelligence  gave 
interest  to  the  young  barbarian  ;  and  while  the  bystanders 
were  amazed  that  a  savage  from  some  unknown  or  re- 
mote corner  of  the  universe  should  possess  a  noble  coun- 
tenance bespeaking  a  mind  so  elevated,  they  respected 
him  for  the  composure  with  which  he  witnessed  so  many 
things,  the  fashion,  the  splendour,  nay,  the  very  use  of 
whi(;h,  must  have  been  recently  new  to  him. 

The  young  man's  personal  equipments  exhibited  a  sin- 
gular mixture  of  splendour  and  effeminacy,  and  enabled 
the  cxperiencetl  spectators  to  ascertain  his  nation,  and  the 
capacity  in  which  he  served.  We  have  already  men- 
tioned the  fanciful  and  cn.'steil  helmet,  which  wa<  a  dis- 
tinction of  the  foreigner,  to  which  the  reailer  must  a<ld  in 
his  imagination  a  small  cuirass,  or  breastplate  of  silver, 
so  sparingly  fashioned  a.s  obviously  to  afl(>rd  little  security 
to  the  broad  chest,  on  which  it  rather  hung  like  an  orna- 
ment than  covered  as  a  buckler;  nor,  if  a  well-thiown 
dart,  or  strongly-shod  arrow,  should  aliglit  full  on  this  rich 
piece  of  armour,  was  tln-re  much  hojje  that  it  could  pro- 
tect the  bosom  which  it  [lartially  shielded. 

From  betwixt  the  shoulders  hung  down  over  the  back 
what  had  the  appearance  of  a  bearskin  ;  but  when  more 
closely  examined,  it  was   uidy  a   very  skilful   iniilation  of 


COUNT    UOBEKT    OF    TAUIS.  47 

the  spoils  of  the  chase,  being  in  reality  a  surcoat  com- 
posed of  strong  shaggy  silk,  so  woven  as  to  exhibit,  at  a 
little  distance,  no  inacciwate  representation  of  a  bear's 
hide.  A  light  crooked  sword,  or  scimitar,  sheathed  in  a 
scabbard  of  gold  and  ivory,  hung  by  the  left  side  of  the 
stranger,  the  ornamented  hilt  of  which  appeared  much 
too  small  for  the  large-jointed  hand  of  the  young  Her- 
cules who  was  thus  gaily  attired.  A  dress,  purple  in 
colour,  and  sitting  close  to  the  limbs,  covered  the  body  of 
the  soldier  to  a  little  above  the  knee ;  from  thence  the 
knees  and  legs  were  bare  to  the  calf,  to  which  the  reticu- 
lated strings  of  the  sandals  rose  from  the  instep,  the  liga- 
tures being  there  fixed  by  a  golden  coin  of  the  reigning 
Emperor,  converted  into  a  species  of  clasp  for  the  pur- 
pose. 

But  a  weapon  which  seemed  more  particularly  adapted 
to  the  young  barbarian's  size,  and  incapable  of  being  used 
by  a  man  of  less  formidable  limbs  and  sinews,  was  a 
battle-axe,  the  firm  iron-guarded  staff  of  which  was 
formed  of  tough  elm,  strongly  inlaid  and  defended  with 
brass,  while  many  a  plate  and  ring  were  indented  in  the 
handle,  to  hold  the  wood  and  the  steel  parts  together. 
The  axe  itself  was  composed  of  two  blades,  turning 
different  ways,  with  a  sharp  steel  spike  projecting  from 
between  them.  The  steel  part,  both  spike  and  blade, 
was  burnished  as  bright  as  a  mirror ;  and  though  its 
ponderous  size  must  have  been  burdensome  to  one 
weaker  than  himself,  yet  the  young  soldier  carried  it  as 
carelessly  along,  as  if  it  were  but  a  feather's  weight.  It 
was,  indeed,  a  skilfully  constructed  weapon,  so  well 
balanced,  that  it  was  much  lighter  in  striking  and  in 
recovery,  than  he  who  saw  it  in  the  hands  of  another 
could  easily  have  believed. 


48  WAVKIM.KV    NOVKLS. 

The  carrying  iiniis  of  itself  showed  that  the  military 
man  was  a  stranger.  Tlic  native  Greeks  had  that  mark 
of  a  civilized  people,  that  tliey  never  bore  weapons  during 
the  time  of  peace,  unless  the  wearer  chanced  to  be  num- 
bered among  those  whose  military  profession  and  employ- 
ment required  them  to  be  always  in  arms.  Such  soldiers 
by  profession  were  easily  distinguished  from  the  peaceful 
citizens ;  and  it  was  with  some  evident  show  of  fear  as 
well  as  dislike,  tiiat  the  passengers  observed  to  each  other, 
that  the  stranger  was  a  Varangian,  an  expression  which 
intimated  a  barbarian  of  the  imperial  body-guard. 

To  supply  the  deficiency  of  valour  among  his  own 
subjects,  and  to  procure  soldiers  who  sliould  be  personaJly 
dependent  on  the  Emperor,  the  Greek  sovereigns  had 
been,  for  a  great  many  years,  in  the  custom  of  maintain- 
ing, in  their  pay,  as  near  tln'ir  person  as  they  could,  the 
steady  services  of  a  select  number  of  mercenaries  in  the 
capacity  of  body-guards,  which  were  numerous  enough, 
when  their  steady  discipline  and  inflexible  loyalty  were 
taken  in  conjunction  with  their  personal  strength  and  in- 
domitable courage,  to  defeat,  not  only  any  traitorous 
attempt  on  the  imperial  person,  but  to  quell  open  rebel- 
lions, unless  such  were  sujjported  by  a  great  proportion 
of  the  military  force.  Their  pay  was  therefore  liberal ; 
their  rank  and  established  character  for  prowess  gave 
them  a  degree  of  o(Misid('ration  among  the  people,  whose 
reputation  for  valour  had  not  for  some  ages  stood  high  ; 
and  if,  as  foreigners,  and  the  members  of  a  privileged 
body,  the  Varangians  were  sometimes  employed  in  arbi- 
trary and  unpopular  servici-s,  the  natives  were  so  apt  to 
fear,  while  they  disliked  tliem,  that  the  hardy  strangers 
disturbed  themselves  but  little  about  the  light  in  which 
they  were  regardeil  by  tlir  iiilial)ilants  of  Constantinople. 


COUNT  KOHERT  OF  PARIS.  49 

Their  dress  and  accoutrements,  while  within  the  city, 
partook  of  the  rich,  or  rather  gaudy  costume,  which  we 
have  described,  bearing  only  a  sort  of  affected  resem- 
blance to  that  which  the  Varangians  wore  in  their 
native  forests.  But  the  individuals  of  this  select  corps 
were,  when  their  services  were  required  beyond  the  city, 
furnished  with  armour  and  weapons  more  resembling 
those  which  they  were  accustomed  to  wield  in  their  own 
country,  possessing  much  less  of  the  splendour  of  war, 
and  a  far  greater  portion  of  its  effective  terrors  ;  and  thus 
they  were  summoned  to  take  the  field. 

This  body  of  Varangians  (which  term  is,  according  to 
one  intei'pi'etation,  merely  a  general  expression  for  bar- 
barians) was,  in  an  early  age  of  the  empire,  formed  of  the 
roving  and  piratical  inhabitants  of  the  north,  whom  a 
love  of  adventure,  the  greatest  pei'haps  that  ever  was 
indulged,  and  a  contempt  of  danger,  which  never  had  a 
parallel  in  the  history  of  human  nature,  drove  forth  upon 
the  pathless  ocean.  "  Piracy,"  says  Gibbon,  with  his 
usual  spirit,  "  was  the  exercise,  the  trade,  the  glory,  and 
the  virtue  of  the  Scandinavian  youth.  Impatient  of  a 
bleak  climate  and  narrow  limits,  they  started  from  the 
banquet,  grasped  their  arms,  sounded  their  horn,  ascended 
their  ships,  and  explored  every  coast  that  promised  either 
spoil  or  settlement."  * 

The  conquests  made  in  France  and  Britain  by  these 
wild  sea-kings,  as  they  were  called,  have  obscured  the 
remembrance  of  other  northern  champions,  who,  long 
before  the  time  of  Comnenus,  made  excui'sions  as  far  as 
Constantinople,  and  witnessed  with  their  own  eyes  the 
wealth  and  the  weakness  of  the   Grecian  empire  itself. 

*  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire;  chap.  Iv.  vol.  x.  p.  221, 
8vo.  edition. 

VOL.    XLVII.  4 


50  WAVKULKY    NOVKLS. 

Numbers  found  their  way  tliillu'r  throuj;Ii  llic  pathless 
wastes  of  Kussia ;  others  navigated  the  JMecUtenauean  in 
their  sea-serpents,  as  they  termed  their  piratical  vessels. 
The  Emperors,  terrified  at  the  appearance  of  tliese  daring 
inhahilants  of  the  frozen  zone,  liad  recourse  to  the  usual 
policy  of  a  rich  and  luiwarlike  people,  bought  with  gold 
the  service  of  their  swords,  and  thus  formed  a  corps  of 
satellites  more  distinguished  for  valour  than  the  famed 
Pnetoriaii  Bands  of  Rome,  and,  perhaps  because  fewer 
in  number,  unalterably  loyal  to  their  new  princes. 

But,  at  a  later  period  of  the  <.'mpire,  it  began  to  Ije 
more  dillicult  for  the  JCmperors  to  obtain  recruits  for  their 
favourite  and  selected  corps,  the  northern  nations  Iiaving 
now  in  a  great  measure  laid  aside  the  piratical  and  roving 
habits,  wiiich  had  driven  their  ancestors  from  the  straits 
of  P>isinore  to  those  of  Sestos  and  Abydos.*  Tlie  corps 
of  the  Vai'angians  niusl  llien-fbre  liave  died  out,  or  have 
been  filled  uj)  with  less  worthy  materials,  liad  not  the 
conquests  made  by  the  Normans  in  the  far  distant  west, 
sent  to  the  aid  of  Comnenus  a  large  body  of  the  dispos- 
sessed inhabitants  of  the  islands  of  Britain,  and  particu- 
larly of  England,  who  furnished  recruits  to  his  chosen 
body-guard.  These  were,  in  fact,  Anglo-Saxons ;  but, 
in  the  confused  idea  of  geography  received  at  tlie  court 
of  Constantinople,  they  were  naturally  enough  called 
Anglo-Danes,  ;ts  their  native  country  was  confl)nndrd 
with  the  Thide  of  the  ancients,  by  which  expressi(Mi  the 
archipelago  ol"  /itlainl  and  Oikncy  i-  pi'operly  lo  lie  un- 
derstood, tiiougli,  according  to  tlie  notions  of  the  (jlreeks, 
it  comprised  either  Denmark  or  liritain.  The  emigrants, 
however,  spoke  a  language  not  very  dissimilar  to  the 
original  Varangians,  and  adopted  the  name  more  readily, 
that  it  seemed  to  remind  them  of   their  unhappy  late,  the 


COUNT    KOBERT    OF    PARIS.  51 

appellation  being  in  one  sense  capable  of  being  inter- 
preted as  exiles.  Excepting  one  or  two  chief  command- 
ers, whom  the  Emperor  judged  worthy  of  such  high 
trust,  the  Varangians  were  officered  by  men  of  their  own 
nation ;  and  with  so  many  pi-ivileges,  being  joined  by 
many  of  their  countrymen  from  time  to  time,  as  the 
crusades,  pilgrimages,  or  discontent  at  home,  drove  fresh 
supplies  of  the  Anglo-Saxons,  or  Anglo-Danes,  to  the 
east,  the  Varangians  subsisted  in  strength  to  the  last  days 
of  the  Greek  empire,  retaining  their  native  language, 
along  with  the  unblemished  loyalty,  and  unabated  martial 
spirit,  which  characterized  their  fathers.   • 

This  account  of  the  Varangian  Guard  is  strictly  histor- 
ical, and  might  be  proved  by  reference  to  the  Byzantine 
historians  ;  most  of  whom,  and  also  Villehardouin's  ac- 
count of  the  taking  of  the  city  of  Constantinople  by  the 
Franks  and  Venetians,  make  repeated  mention  of  this 
celebrated  and  singular  body  of  Englishmen,  forming  a 
mercenary  guard  attendant  on  the  person  of  the  Greek 
Erapei'ors.* 

*  Ducaiige  has  poured  forth  a  tide  of  learnhig  on  this  curious  sub- 
ject, which  will  be  found  in  his  Notes  on  Villehardouin's  Constanti- 
nople under  the  French  Emperors. — Paris,  1637,  folio,  p.  196.  Gib- 
bon's History  may  also  be  consulted,  vol.  x.  p.  231. 

Villehardouin,  in  describing  the  siege  of  Constantinople,  a.d.  1203, 
says,  "  'Li  murs  fu  mult  garnis  d'Anglois  et  de  Danois," — hence  the 
dissertation  of  Ducange  here  quoted,  and  several  articles  besides  in 
his  Glossarium,  as  Varangi,  Warengangi,  &c.  The  etymology  of  the 
name  is  left  uncertain,  though  the  German  fort-ganger,  i.  e.  forth-goer, 
wanderer,  exile,  seems  the  most  probable.  The  term  occurs  in  various 
Italian  and  Sicilian  documents,  anterior  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Varangian  Guards  at  Constantinople,  and  collected  by  Muratori :  as, 
for  instance,  in  an  edict  of  one  of  the  Lombard  kings,  "  Omnes  Wa- 
rengangi, qui  de  exteris  finibus  in  regni  nostri  finibus  advenerint, 
seque  sub  scuto  potestatis  nostrje  subdiderint,  legibus  nostris  Longo- 
bardorum  vivere  debeant," — and  in  another,  "  De  Warengangis  nobil- 


52  WAVr.ltl.KY    NOVKI.S. 

IlavinjT  said  enoiijrh  to  explain  why  an  individual 
Varanjrian  slioiild  be  strolling  about  the  Golden  Gate,  we 
may  proceed  in  the  story  which  we  have  commenced. 

Let  it  not  Ix'  thought  extraordinary,  that  this  soldier 
of  the  life-guard  should  be  looked  upon  with  some  degree 
of  curiosity  by  the  passing  citizens.  It  must  be  sup- 
posed, that,  from  their  peculiar  duties,  they  were  not  en- 
couraged to  hold  frequent  intercourse  or  conniiunication 
with  the  iidiiibitant-;  ;  ami,  lusidcs  that  they  had  duties  of 
police  occasionally  to  exercise  amongst  thein,  which  made 
them  generally  more  dreaded  than  beloved,  they  were  at 
the  same  time  conscious,  that  their  high  pay,  splendid 
appointments,  and  immediate  dependence  on  the  Em- 
peror, were  subjects  of  envy  to  the  other  forces.  They, 
therefore,  kept  niudi  in  the  neigld)oiirhood  of  their  own 

ibus,  mefliocril)iis,  ct  rusticis  hominibus,  qui   usque   nunc   in   terrii 
vestrJl  fugiti  sunt,  liabeatis  eos." — Muralori,  vol.  ii.  p.  261. 

With  regnnl  to  tlie  origin  of  tho  Varangian  (Juanl,  the  most  distinct 
testimony  is  that  of  Orilericus  Vittalis,  wlio  says,  "  When  therefore 
the  Knglish  had  lost  their  liberty,  they  turned  themselves  with  zeal  to 
discover  the  means  of  throwing  off  the  unaccustomed  yoke.  Some 
fled  to  Sueno,  King  of  the  Danes,  to  excite  him  to  the  recovery  of  the 
inheritance  of  his  grandfather,  Canute.  Not  a  few  fled  into  exile  in 
other  regions,  either  from  the  mere  desire  of  escaping  from  under  the 
Nonnan  rule,  or  in  the  hope  of  acquiring  wealth,  and  so  being  one  day 
in  a  condition  to  renew  the  struggle  at  home.  Some  of  these,  in  the 
bloom  of  youth,  penetrated  into  a  far  distant  land,  and  offered  them- 
selves to  the  military  service  of  the  Constantinopolitan  Emperor — 
that  wise  prince,  against  whom  Robert  Guiscard,  Duke  of  Apulia,  had 
then  raised  all  his  forces.  The  Knglish  exiles  were  favourably  re- 
ceived, and  opposed  in  battle  to  the  Normans,  for  whose  encounter 
the  Greeks  themselves  were  too  weak.  Alexius  began  to  build  a  town 
for  the  Knglish,  a  little  above  Constantinople,  at  a  place  called  Cheve- 
liil,  but  the  trouble  of  the  Xormans  from  Sicily  still  increasing,  he 
Boon  recalled  them  to  the  capital,  and  intrusted  the  principal  palace 
with  all  its  treasure*  to  their  keeping.  This  was  the  method  in  which 
the  Saxon  Knglish  found  their  way  to  Ionia,  where  they  still  remain, 
highly  valued  by  the  Empemr  and  the  pco](le." — H(H>k  iv.  p.  508. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  53 

barracks,  and  were  seldom  sef|ii  straggling  remote  from 
them,  unless  they  had  a  commission  of  government  in- 
trusted to  their  charge. 

This  being  the  case,  it  was  natural  that  a  people  so 
curious  as  the  Greeks  should  busy  themselves  in  eyeing 
the  stranger  as  he  loitered  in  one  spot,  or  wandered  to 
and  fro,  like  a  man  who  either  could  not  find  some  place 
which  he  was  seeking,  or  had  failed  to  meet  some  person 
with  whom  he  had  an  appointment,  for  which  the  ingenu- 
ity of  the  passengers  found  a  thousand  different  and  in- 
consistent reasons.  "  A  Varangian,"  said  one  citizen  to 
another,  "  and  upon  duty — ahem !  Then  I  presume  to 
say  in  your  ear  " 

"  What  do  you  imagine  is  his  object  ?  "  inquired  the 
pai'ty  to  whom  this  information  was  addressed. 

"  Gods  and  goddesses  !  do  you  think  I  can  tell  you  ? 
but  suppose  that  he  is  lurking  here  to  hear  what  folk  say 
of  the  Emperor,"  answered  the  quidnunc  of  Constanti- 
nople. 

"  That  is  not  likely,"  said  the  querist ;  "  these  Varan- 
gians do  not  speak  our  language,  and  are  not  extremely 
well  fitted  for  spies,  since  few  of  them  pretend  to  any 
intelligible  notion  of  the  Grecian  tongue.  It  is  not  likely, 
I  think,  that  the  Emperor  would  employ  as  a  spy  a  man 
who  did  not  understand  the  language  of  the  country." 

"  But  if  there  are,  as  all  men  fancy,"  answered  the  pol- 
itician, "  persons  among  these  barbarian  soldiers  who 
can  speak  almost  all  languages,  you  will  admit  that 
such  are  excellently  qualified  for  seeing  clearly  around 
them,  since  they  possess  the  talent  of  beholding  and  re- 
porting, while  no  one  has  the  slightest  idea  of  suspecting 
them." 

"  It  may  well  be,"  replied  his  companion  ;  "  but  since 


54  WAVKKLKY    NOVKLS. 

we  ^ee  so  clearly  tlic  lux's  loot  and  paws  protnuliii^  from 
beneath  the,  sccniiiif;  .sheep's  lleecc,  or  rather,  by  your 
leave,  the  fK((rs  hide  yoiulcr,  had  we  not  better  be  jog- 
piiig  homeward,  ere  it  be  pretended  we  have  insnlted  a 
Vaiangian  Guard  ?  " 

This  surmise  of  danger  insinuated  by  the  last  speaker, 
who  was  a  much  older  and  more  experienced  politician 
than  his  friend,  determined  both  on  a  hasty  retreat. 
They  adjusted  their  cloaks,  caught  hold  of  each  other's 
arm,  and,  speaking  fast  and  thick  as  they  started  new 
subjects  of  suspicion,  they  sped,  close  coupled  together, 
towards  their  habitations,  in  a  difterent  and  distant  quar- 
ter of  the  town. 

In  the  meantime,  tiie  sunset  was  nigh  over  ;  and  the 
long  sliadows  of  the  walls,  bulwarks,  and  arches,  were 
projecting  from  the  westward  in  deejjcr  and  blacker 
shade.  The  Varangian  seemed  tired  of  the  short  and 
lingering  circle  in  which  he  had  now  trodden  for  more 
than  an  hour,  and  in  which  he  still  loitered  like  an  unlib- 
erated  spirit,  which  cannot  leave  the  haunted  spot  till 
licensed  by  the  spell  which  has  brought  it  hither.  Even 
so  the  barbarian,  casting  an  imj)atient  glance  to  the  sun, 
which  was  setting  in  a  blaze  of  light  behind  a  rich  grove 
of  cypress-trees,  looked  for  some  accommodation  on  the 
benches  of  stone  which  were  placed  under  shadow  of  tlie 
triiim|ihal  arch  of  Theodosius,  drew  the  axe,  which  was 
iiis  principal  weapon,  close  to  his  side,  wrai)ped  his  cloak 
about  iiini,  ami.  tlmugli  liis  dress  was  not  in  other  respects 
a  fit  attire  f()r  slumber,  any  more  than  the  place  well 
selected  for  repose,  yet  in  less  than  three  minutes  he  was 
fiast  asleep.  The  irresistible  impulse  which  induced  him 
to  seek  for  repose  in  a  place  very  indifferently  fitted  for 
the   purpose,  might   be    weariness   conse<[uent   upon   the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  55 

military  vigils,  which  had  pi'oved  a  part  of  his  duty  on 
the  preceding  evening.  At  the  same  time,  his  spirit  was 
so  alive  within  him,  even  while  he  gave  way  to  this  tran- 
sient fit  of  oblivion,  that  he  remained  almost  awake  even 
with  shut  eyes,  and  no  hound  ever  seemed  to  sleep  more 
lightly  than  our  Anglo-Saxon  at  the  Golden  Gate  of 
Constantinople. 

And  now  the  slumberer,  as  the  loiterer  had  been  be- 
fore, was  the  subject  of  observation  to  the  accidental  pas- 
sengers. Two  men  entered  the  porch  in  company.  One 
was  a  somewhat  slight  made,  but  alert-looking  man,  by 
name  Lysimachus,  and  by  profession  a  designer.  A  roll 
of  paper  in  his  hand,  with  a  little  satchel  containing  a 
few  chalks,  or  pencils,  completed  his  stock  in  trade  ;  and 
his  acquaintance  with  the  remains  of  ancient  art  gave 
him  a  power  of  talking  on  the  subject,  which  unfortu- 
nately bore  more  than  due  proportion  to  his  talents  of 
execution.  His  companion,  a  magnificent-looking  man  in 
form,  and  so  far  resembling  the  young  barbarian,  but 
more  clownish  and  peasant-like  in  the  expression  of  his 
features,  was  Stephanos  the  wrestler,  well  known  in  the 
Palestra. 

"  Stop  here,  my  friend,"  said  the  artist,  producing  his 
pencils,  "  till  I  make  a  sketch  for  my  youthful  Hercules." 

"  I  thought  Hercules  had  been  a  Greek,"  said  the 
wrestler.     "  This  sleeping  animal  is  a  barbarian." 

The  tone  intimated  some  oiFence,  and  the  designer 
hastened  to  soothe  the  displeasure  which  he  had  thought- 
lessly excited.  Stephanos,  known  by  the  surname  of  Cas- 
tor, who  was  highly  distinguished  for  gymnastic  exercises, 
was  a  sort  of  patron  to  the  little  artist,  and  not  unlikely 
by  his  own  reputation  to  bring  the  talents  of  his  friend 
into  notice. 


5G  WAVKKI.K.Y    NOVKLS. 

"  IJf'aiity  aiiil  str(iin;tli,"  said  the  adroit  artist,  "  aro  of 
no  {)articiilar  nation  ;  ami  may  our  Muse  never  deijin  ine 
her  prize,  but  it  is  my  greatest  pleasure  to  compare  them, 
as  existing  in  the  uncultivated  savage  of  the  north,  and 
when  they  arc  found  in  the  darling  of  an  enlightened 
peojiie,  who  has  added  the  height  of  gymnastic  skill  to 
the  most  distinguished  natural  ((ualitics.  such  as  we  can 
now  only  see  in  the  works  of  Phidias  and  Praxiteles — 
or  in  our  living  model  of  the  gymnastic  champions  of 
antiquity." 

"  Nay,  I  acknowledge  that  the  Varangian  is  a  proper 
man,"  said  the  athletic  hero,  softening  his  tone  ;  "  but  the 
I)oor  savage  hath  not.  perhaps,  in  his  lifetime,  had  a  single 
drop  of  oil  on  his  bosom  !  Hercules  instituted  iIk-  Isth- 
mian Games  " 

"  But  hold  !  what  sleeps  he  w  itii,  wrapt  so  close  in  his 
bearskin  ?  "  said  the  artist.     "  Is  it  a  club  ?  " 

"Away,  away,  my  friend  ! "  cried  Stephanos,  as  they 
looked  closer  on  the  sleeper.  '•  Do  you  not  know  tiiat  is 
the  instrument  of  their  barbarous  otlice  ?  They  do  not 
war  with  swords  or  lances,  as  if  destined  to  attack  men 
of  flesh  and  blood;  but  with  maces  and  axes,  as  if  they 
were  to  hack  limbs  formed  of  stone,  and  sinews  of  oak. 
I  will  wager  my  crown  [of  withered  parsley]  that  he  lies 
here  to  arrest  some  distinguished  commander  who  lias 
offended  the  government !  He  would  not  have  been 
thus  formidal»ly  armed  otherwise  —  Away,  away,  good 
Lysimaehus  ;  let   us  respect   the  slinnbers  of  the  Ix'ar." 

80  saying,  the  champion  of  the  Palestra  made  off  with 
less  apparent  confidence  than  his  .si/.c  and  strengtii  miglit 
have  inspired. 

Others,  now  thinly  straggling,  ]ia<>i(l  onward  a>  the 
evening  closed,  and  the  sha<lows  of  tiie  cypress-trees  fell 


COUNT    KOKEIIT    OF    PARIS.  57 

darker  around.  Two  females  of  the  lower  rank  ca:?t  their 
eyes  on  the  sleeper.  "  Holy  Maria  !  "  said  one,  ''  if  he 
does  not  put  mc  in  mind  of  the  Eastern  tale,  how  the 
Genie  brought  a  gallant  young  prince  from  his  nuptial 
chamber  in  Egypt,  and  left  him  sleeping  at  the  gate  of 
Damascus.  I  will  awake  the  poor  lamb,  lest  he  catch 
harm  from  the  night  dew." 

"  Harm  ?  "  answered  the  older  and  crosser-looking  wom- 
an. "  Ay,  such  harm  as  the  cold  water  of  the  Cydnus 
does  to  the  wild-swan.  A  lamb  ? — ay,  forsooth  !  Why, 
he's  a  wolf  or  a  bear,  at  least  a  Varangian,  and  no  modest 
matron  would  exchange  a  word  with  such  an  unmannered 
barbarian.  I'll  tell  you  what  one  of  these  English  Danes 
did  to  me" 

So  saying,  she  drew  on  her  companion,  who  followed 
with  some  reluctance,  seeming  to  listen  to  her  gabble, 
while  she  looked  back  upon  the  sleeper. 

The  total  disappearance  of  the  sun,  and  nearly  at  the 
same  time  the  departure  of  the  twilight,  which  lasts  so 
short  time  in  that  tropical  region — one  of  the  few  advan- 
tages which  a  more  temperate  climate  possesses  over  it, 
being  the  longer  continuance  of  that  sweet  and  placid 
light — gave  signal  to  the  warders  of  the  city  to  shut  the 
folding  leaves  of  the  Golden  Gate,  leaving  a  wicket 
lightly  bolted  for  the  passage  of  those  whom  business 
might  have  detained  too  late  without  the  walls,  and  in- 
deed for  all  who  chose  to  pay  a  small  coin.  The  position 
and  apparent  insensibility  of  the  Varangian  did  not  escape 
those  who  had  charge  of  the  gate,  of  whom  there  was 
a  strong  guard,  which  belonged  to  the  ordinary  Greek 
forces. 

"  By  Castor  and  by  Pollux,"  said  the  centurion — for 
the  Greeks  swore  by  the  ancient  deities,  although  they  no 


58  WAVKHI.KY    NOVKLS. 

lonfjor  worshipped  tlioiii,  ami  i)n'sc'rv('d  those  military 
distiiu'tioiis  witli  which  "  the  steady  Romans  shook  the 
world,"  although  they  were  altogether  degenerated  from 
their  original  manners — "  Ry  Castor  and  Pollux,  com- 
rades, we  cainiot  gather  gold  in  this  gate,  according  iis  its 
legend  tells  us :  yet  it  will  be  our  fault  if  we  cannot  glean 
a  goodly  crop  of  silver  ;  and  though  the  golden  age  be  the 
most  ancient  and  honourable,  yet  in  this  degenerate  time 
it  is  much  if  we  see  a  glimpse  of  the  inferior  metal." 

"  Unworthy  arc  we  to  follow  the  noble  centurion  Har- 
pax,"  answered  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the  watch,  who 
showed  the  shaven  head  and  tlie  singh'  tuft*  of  a  Mussul- 
man, "  if  we  do  not  hold  silver  a  sullicient  cause  to  bestir 
ourselves,  when  there  has  been  no  gold  to  be  had — as,  by 
the  fjiith  of  an  honest  man,  I  think  we  can  hardly  tell  its 
colour — whether  out  of  the  imperial  treasury,  or  obtained 
at  the  expense  of  individuals,  for  many  long  moons  ! " 

"  But  this  silver,"  said  the  centurion,  "  thou  shalt  see 
with  thine  own  eye,  and  hear  it  ring  a  knell  in  the  purse 
which  holds  our  common  stock." 

"  Whiirh  did  hold  it,  as  thou  wouldst  say,  most  valiant 
commander,"  replied  the  inferior  warder  ;  "  but  what  that 
purse  holds  now,  save  a  few  miserable  oboli  for  purchasing 
certain  j)icklcd  jiotherbs  and  salt  lish,  to  relish  our  allow- 
ance of  stuinnu'd  wine,  I  cannot  tell,  but  willingly  give 
my  share  of  the  contents  to  the  devil,  if  either  purse  or 
platter  exhibits  symptom  of  any  age  richer  than  the  age 
of  copper." 

"  I  will  replenish  our  trcasui-y,"  said  the  centurion, 
"  were  our  stock  yet  lower  than  it  is.  Stand  up  dose  by 
the  wickft,  my  masters.      I'nthiiik   you  we  arc  the  Irnpe- 

*  One  tuft  is  left  on  the  slisivoii  crown  of  the  Moslem,  for  the  angel 
to  grasp  by  when  conveying  him  to  I'arndi.se. 


COUNT  KOBEUT  OF  PARIS.  59 

rial  Guards,  or  the  Guards  of  the  Imperial  City,  it  is  all 
one,  and  let  us  have  no  man  rush  past  us  on  a  sudden ; 
— and  now  that  we  are  on  our  guard,  I  will  unfold  to 

you But  stop,"  said  the  valiant  centurion,  "  are  we 

all  here  true  brothers  ?  Do  all  well  understand  the  an- 
cient and  laudable  customs  of  our  watch — keeping  all 
things  secret  wlaicli  concern  the  profit  and  advantage  of 
this  our  vigil,  and  aiding  and  abetting  the  common  cause, 
without  information  or  treachery  ?  " 

"  You  are  strangely  suspicious  to-night,"  answered  the 
sentinel.  "  Methinks  we  have  stood  by  you  without  tale- 
telling  in  matters  which  were  more  weighty.  Have  you 
forgot  the  passage  of  the  jeweller — which  was  neither 
the  gold  nor  silver  age ;  but  if  there  were  a  diamond 
one  " 

"  Peace,  good  Ismail  the  Infidel,"  said  the  centurion, — 
"  for,  I  thank  Heaven,  we  are  of  all  religions,  so  it  is  to 
be  hoped  we  must  have  the  true  one  amongst  us, — Peace, 
I  say  ;  it  is  unnecessary  to  prove  thou  canst  keep  new 
secrets,  by  ripping  up  old  ones. —  Come  hither  —  look 
through  the  wicket  to  the  stone  bench,  on  the  shady  side 
of  the  grand  porch — tell  me,  old  lad,  what  dost  thou  see 
there?" 

"  A  man  asleep,"  said  Ismail.  "  By  Heaven,  I  think 
from  what  I  can  see  by  the  moonlight,  that  it  is  one  of 
those  barbarians,  one  of  those  island  dogs,  whom  the 
Emperor  sets  such  store  by  ! " 

"  And  can  thy  fertile  brain,"  said  the  centurion,  "  spin 
nothing  out  of  his  present  situation,  tending  towai'ds  our 
advantage  ?  " 

"  Why,  ay,"  said  Ismail ;  "  they  have  large  pay,  though 
they  are  not  only  barbarians,  but  pagan  dogs,  in  com- 
parison with  us  Moslems  and  Nazarenes.     That  fellow 


GO  AVAVKKI.KY    XOVKLS. 

lialli  lie:=ottcd  himself  with  liiiuur.  and  hath  not  fomul  his 
Avuy  home  to  his  barracks  in  good  time,  lie  will  be  se- 
verely punished,  unless  we  consent  to  admit  him ;  and  to 
prevail  on  us  to  do  so.  he  must  empty  the  contents  of  his 
girdle." 

'■  Tliat.  at  least — that,  at  least,"  answered  the  soldiers 
of  till-  eity  watch,  but  carefully  suppressing  their  voices, 
though  they  spoke  in  an  eager  tone. 

''  And  is  that  all  that  you  would  make  of  such  an 
opporttuiity  ?  "  said  Ilarpax,  scornfully.  "No,  no,  com- 
rades. If  this  outlandish  animal  indeed  esca{)e  us,  he 
must  at  least  leave  his  fleece  behind.  See  you  not  the 
gleams  from  his  headpiece  and  his  cuirass  ?  I  presume 
these  betoken  substantial  silver,  though  it  may  be  of  the 
tliiiniest.  There  lies  the  silver  mine  I  spoke  of,  ready  to 
enrich  the  dexterous  hands  who  shall  labour  it." 

"  liut,"  said  timidly  a  young  Greek,  a  companion  of 
their  watch  lately  enlisted  in  the  corps,  and  unacquainted 
with  their  habits,  "  still,  this  barbarian,  as  you  call  him,  is 
a  soldier  of  ilu-  Emperor  ;  and  if  we  are  convicted  of  de- 
priving him  of  his  arms,  we  shall  be  justly  punished  for  a 
military  erinw." 

"  Hear  to  a  new  Lycurgus  come  to  teach  us  our  duty  !" 
said  the  centurion.  "  Learn  first,  young  man,  that  the 
metropolitan  cohort  never  can  commit  a  ci-ime  ;  and  leam 
next,  of  course,  that  they  can  never  be  convicted  of  one. 
Su|)pose  we  found  a  straggling  barbarian,  a  Varangian, 
like  iliis  -IuiiiIm  rer.  perhaps  a  Frank,  or  some  other  of 
these  tbreigners  bearing  unpronounceable  names,  while 
they  dishonour  us  by  putting  on  the  arms  and  apparel  of 
the  real  Roman  soldier,  are  we,  placed  to  defend  an  im- 
portant post,  to  admit  a  man  so  suspicious  within  our  pos- 
tern, when  tlie  event  may  probably  be  to  betray  Ixjth  the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  ^61 

Golden  Gate  and  the  hearts  of  gold  who  guard  it, — to 
have  the  one  seized,  and  the  throats  of  the  others  hand- 
somely cut  ?  " 

"  Keep  him  without  side  the  gate,  then,"  replied  the 
novice,  "  if  you  think  him  so  dangerous.  For  my  part,  I 
should  not  fear  him,  were  he  deprived  of  that  huge  double- 
edged  axe,  which  gleams  from  under  his  cloak,  having  a 
more  deadly  glare  than  the  comet  which  astrologers 
prophesy  such  strange  things  of." 

"  Nay,  then,  we  agree  together,"  answered  Harpax, 
"  and  you  speak  like  a  youth  of  modesty  and  sense  ;  and 
I  promise  you  the  state  will  lose  nothing  in  the  despoiling 
of  this  same  barbarian.  Each  of  these  savages  hath  a 
double  set  of  accoutrements,  the  one  wrought  with  gold, 
silver,  inlaid  work,  and  ivory,  as  becomes  their  duties  in 
the  prince's  household  ;  the  other  fashioned  of  triple  steel, 
strong,  weighty,  and  irresistible.  Now,  in  taking  from 
this  suspicious  character  his  silver  helmet  and  cuirass, 
you  reduce  him  to  his  proper  weapons,  and  you  will  see 
him  start  up  in  arms  fit  for  duty." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  novice ;  "  but  I  do  not  see  that  this 
reasoning  will  do  more  than  warrant  our  stripping  the 
Varangian  of  his  armour,  to  be  afterwards  heedfuUy  re- 
turned to  him  on  the  morrow,  if  he  prove  a  true  man. 
How,  I  know  not,  but  I  had  adopted  some  idea  that  it 
was  to  be  confiscated  for  our  joint  behoof." 

"  Unquestionably,"  said  Harpax ;  "  for  such  has  been 
the  rule  of  our  watch  ever  since  the  days  of  the  excellent 
centurion  Sisyphus,  in  whose  time  it  first  was  determined, 
that  all  contraband  commodities  or  suspicious  weapons,  or 
the  like,  which  were  brought  into  the  city  during  the 
night-watch,  should  be  uniformly  forfeited  to  the  use  of 
the  soldiery  of  the  guard ;  and  where  the  Emperor  finds 


62 


W  AVI.KKI.V     \<)Vi:i..S. 


the  goods   or  arras   unjustly   sci/ed,   I   liopc    he    is   rich 
enough  to  inako  it  up  to  llit'  sutterer." 

"  But  still — but  still,"  said  Sebastes  of  Mitylene,  the 
young  Greek  aforesaid.  "  were  the  Emperor  to  dis- 
cover" 

"Ass!"  replied  Ilarpax,  "he  cannot  discover,  if  he 
had  all  the  eyes  of  Argus's  tail. — Here  are  twelve  of  us 
sworn  according  to  the  rules  of  the  watch,  to  abide  in  the 
same  story.  Here  is  a  barliarian.  who.  if  he  remembers 
any  thing  of  the  matter — Avhieh  I  greatly  doubt — his 
choice  of  a  lodging  arguing  his  familiarity  with  the  wine- 
pot — tells  but  a  wild  tale  of  losing  his  armour,  which  we, 
jny  masters,"  (looking  round  to  his  companions.)  "  deny 
stoutly — I  hope  we  have  courage  enough  for  that — and 
which  party  will  be  believed?  The  companions  of  the 
watch  surely !  " 

"  Quite  the  contrary,"  said  Sebastes.  ''  I  was  born  at 
a  distance  from  hence  ;  yet  even  in  the  island  of  Mityh^ne, 
the  rumour  had  reached  me  that  the  cavaliers  of  the  city- 
guard  of  Constantinople  were  so  accomplished  in  false- 
hood, that  the  oath  of  a  single  barbarian  would  outwcigli 
the  Christian  oath  of  the  whole  body,  if  Christians  some 
of  them  are — for  exain|)]e,  this  dark  man  witii  a  single 
tuft  on  his  head." 

"And  if  it  were  even  so,"  said  the  centurion,  with  a 
gloomy  and  sinister  look,  "there  is  another  way  t.t' making 
the  transaction  a  safe  one." 

Sebastes,  fixing  his  eye  on  his  commander,  mov<'d  his 
hand  to  the  hilt  of  an  Eastern  poniard  which  he  wore,  as 
if  to  penetrate  his  exact  meaning.  The  centurion  nodded 
in  ac(juiescence. 

"  Young  as  I  am,"  said  Sebastes.  "  [  liavi-  been  already 
a  pirate  five  years  at  sea,  and  a  robb.r  ilnc*.  years  now 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  63 

in  the  hills,  and  it  is  the  first  time  I  have  seen  or  heard  a 
man  hesitate,  in  such  a  case,  to  take  the  only  part  which 
is  worth  a  brave  man's  while  to  I'esort  to  in  a  pi-essing 
affair." 

Harpax  struck  his  hand  into  that  of  the  soldier,  as 
sharing  his  uncompromising  sentiments ;  but  when  he 
spoke,  it  was  in  a  tremulous  voice. 

"  How  shall  we  deal  with  him  ?  "  said  he  to  Sebastes, 
who,  from  the  most  raw  recruit  in  the  corps,  had  now 
risen  to  the  highest  place  in  his  estimation. 

"Any  how,"  returned  the  islander ;  "  I  see  bows  here 
and  shafts,  and  if  no  other  person  can  use  them  " 

''  They  are  not,"  said  the  centurion,  "  the  regular  arms 
of  our  corps." 

"  The  fitter  you  to  guard  the  gates  of  a  city,"  said  the 
young  soldier,  with  a  hoi-se-laugh,  which  had  something 
insulting  in  it.  "Well — be  it  so.  I  can  shoot  like  a 
Scythian,"  he  proceeded ;  "  nod  but  with  your  head,  one 
shafl  shall  crash  among  the  splinters  of  his  skull  and  his 
brains ;  the  second  shall  quiver  in  his  heart." 

"  Bravo,  my  noble  comrade  !  "  said  Harpax,  in  a  tone 
of  affected  rapture,  always  lowering  his  voice,  however, 
as  respecting  the  slumbers  of  the  Varangian.  "  Such 
were  the  robbers  of  ancient  days,  the  Diomedes,  Cory- 
netes,  Synnes,  Scyrons,  Procrustes,  whom  it  required 
demigods  to  bring  to  what  was  miscalled  justice,  and 
whose  compeers  and  fellows  will  remain  masters  of  the 
continent  and  isles  of  Greece,  until  Hercules  and  Theseus 
shall  again  appear  upon  earth.  Nevertheless,  shoot  not, 
my  valiant  Sebastes — draw  not  the  bow,  my  invaluable 
Mityleuian ;  you  may  wound  and  not  kill." 

"  I  am  little  wont  to  do  so,"  said  Sebastes,  again  re- 
peating the  hoarse,   chuckling,  discordant  laugh,  which 


64  wavi:ki.i:y  Novr.r.s. 

prafcil  upon  the  cars  of  the  coiiturioii,  tlioiigli  he  could 
hardly  tell  tlic  reason  why  it  was  so  uncommonly  un- 
pleasant. 

"  It"  I  look  not  al)out  mc,"  was  liis  internal  reflection, 
''  we  t^liall  have  two  centurions  of  tlie  watch,  instead  of 
one.  Tliis  Mitylenian,  or  l)e  Ik^  who  the  devil  will,  is  a 
how's  length  heyond  me.  I  must  keep  my  eye  on  him." 
He  then  spoke  aloud,  in  a  tone  of  authority.  "  But  come, 
young  man,  it  is  hard  to  discourage  a  young  beginner. 
If  you  have  been  such  a  rover  of  wood  and  river  as  you 
tell  us  of,  you  know  how  to  play  the  Sicarius :  there  lies 
your  object,  drunk  or  asleep,  we  know  not  which  ; — you 
will  deal  with  liiui  in  either  case." 

"Will  you  give  me  no  odds  to  stab  a  stupetied  or 
dmnkcn  man,  most  noble  centurion?"  answered  the 
Greek.  "  You  would  jjcrhaps  love  the  commission  your- 
self? "  he  continued,  somewhat  ironically. 

"Do  as  you  are  directed,  friend,"  said  Ilarpax,  ])oint- 
ing  to  the  turret  staircase  which  led  down  from  the  battle- 
ment to  the  arched  entrance  underneath  the  porch. 

"  He  has  the  true  cat-like  stealthy  pace,"  half  nuittered 
the  centurion,  as  his  sentinel  descended  to  do  such  a  crime 
a.s  he  was  poste<l  there  to  prevent.  "  This  cockerel's  comb 
must  be  cut,  or  lie  will  become  king  of  the  roost.  But 
let  us  see  if  hi'-  liand  be  as  resolute  as  his  tongue; 
then  we  will  con-ider  wliat  turn  lo  give  to  the  conclu- 
sion." 

As  Harpax  spoke  between  his  teeth,  and  rallier  lo 
himself  than  any  of  his  companions,  (he  Mitylenian 
emerged  from  under  the  archway,  trea<ling  on  tiptoe,  yet 
swiftly,  with  an  admiral)le  mixture  of  silence  and  celerity. 
His  poniard,  drawn  as  he  <lescended,  gleamed  in  his  hand, 
which  was  held  a  little  behind  the  rest  of  his  person,  so 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  65 

as  to  conceal  it.  The  assassin  hovered  less  than  an  in- 
stant over  the  sleeper,  as  if  to  mark  the  interval  between 
the  ill-fated  silver  corslet,  and  the  body  which  it  was 
designed  to  protect,  when,  at  the  instant  the  blow  was 
rushing  to  its  descent,  the  Varangian  started  up  at  once, 
arrested  the  armed  hand  of  the  assassin,  by  striking  it  up- 
wards with  the  head  of  his  battle-axe  ;  and  while  he  thus 
parried  the  intended  stab,  struck  the  Greek  a  blow  heavier 
than  Sebastes  had  ever  learned  at  the  Pancration,  which 
left  him  scarce  the  power  to  cry  help  to  his  comrades  on 
the  battlements.  They  saw  what  had  happened,  however, 
and  beheld  the  barbarian  set  his  foot  on  their  companion, 
and  bi-andish  high  his  formidable  weapon,  the  whistling 
sound  of  which  made  the  old  arch  ring  ominously,  while 
he  paused  an  instant,  with  his  weapon  upheaved,  ere  he 
gave  the  finishing  blow  to  his  enemy.  The  warders  made 
a  bustle,  as  if  some  of  them  would  descend  to  the  assist- 
ance of  Sebastes,  without,  however,  appearing  very  eager 
to  do  so,  when  Harpax,  in  a  rapid  whisper,  commanded 
them  to  stand  fast. 

"  Each  man  to  his  place,"  he  said,  "  happen  what  may. 
Yonder  comes  a  captain  of  the  guard — the  secret  is  our 
own,  if  the  savage  has  killed  the  Mitylenian,  as  I  well 
trust,  for  he  stirs  neither  hand  nor  foot.  But  if  he  lives, 
my  comrades,  make  hard  your  faces  as  flints — he  is  but 
one  man,  we  are  twelve.  We  know  nothing  of  his  pur- 
pose, save  that  he  went  to  see  wherefore  the  barbarian 
slept  so  near  the  post." 

While  the  centurion  thus  bruited  his  purpose  in  busy 
insinuation  to  the  companions  of  his  watch,  the  stately 
figure  of  a  tall  soldier,  richly  armed,  and  presenting  a 
lofty  crest,  which  glistened  as  he  stept  from  the  open 
moonlight  into  the  shade  of  the  vault,  became  visible  be- 

VOL.    XLVII.  5 


66  WAVKIU.KY    NOVELS. 

Death.  A  wlii-pir  pas.scd  ainong  the  wunh'rs  on  tho  top 
of  the  gate. 

"  Draw  holt,  shut  gate,  eomo  of  the  Mityleiiiaii  what 
will,"  said  the  centurion  ;  '*  we  are  lost  men  if  we  own 
him. — Here  conies  the  chief  of  the  Varangian  axes,  the 
Follower  himself." 

"  Well,  Ilereward,"  said  the  officer  who  came  last  upon 
the  scene,  in  a  sort  of  lingua  Franca,  generally  used  by 
the  barbarians  of  the  guard,  "hast  thou  caught  a  night- 
hawk  ?  " 

"  Ay,  by  Saint  George  !  "  answered  the  soldier  ;  "  and 
yet,  in  ray  country,  we  would  call  iiini  hut  a  kit(\" 

"What  is  he?"  said  tho  leader. 

"  He  will  tell  you  that  hiniself,"  nplird  ilie  Varangian, 
"  when  I  take  my  grasp  from  his  windpipe." 

"Let  him  go,  then,"  said  the  officer. 

The  Englishman  did  as  he  was  commanded ;  but, 
escaping  as  soon  as  he  felt  himself  at  liberty,  with  an 
alertness  which  could  scarce  have  been  anticipated,  the 
Mitylenian  rushed  out  at  the  arch,  and,  availing  himself 
of  the  compHcated  ornaments  which  had  originally  graced 
the  exterior  of  the  gateway,  he  fled  around  buttress  and 
projection,  closely  pur-ucd  by  the  Varangian,  who,  cum- 
hcn.'d  with  his  armour,  was  hardly  a  n)atch  in  the  course 
for  the  light-footed  Grecian,  as  he  dodged  his  pur.-uer 
from  one  skulking-jdace  to  another.  The  ofhcer  laughed 
heartily,  as  the  two  figures,  like  shadows  appearing,  and 
disappearing  jis  suddenly,  held  rapid  flight  and  chase 
aroimd  the  arcli  of  Theodosius. 

"  15y  Hercules!  it  is  Hector  pursued  round  ihr  walls 
of  Ilion  by  Achilles,"  said  the  officer;  "but  my  Pelides 
will  scarce  overtake  the  son  of  I'riam.  What,  ho ! 
Koddess-born — son  of  the  white-footed  Thetis  ! — Hut  the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  67 

allusion  is  lost  on  the  poor  savage — Hollo,  Hereward  !  I 
saj,  stop — know  thine  own  most  barbarous  name." 
These  last  words  were  muttered ;  then  raising  his  voice, 
"  Do  not  out-run  thy  wind,  good  Hereward.  "  Thou 
mayst  have  more  occasion  for  breath  to-night." 

"  If  it  had  been  my  leader's  will,"  answered  the  Varan- 
gian, coming  back  in  sulky  mood,  and  breathing  like  one 
who  had  been  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  "  I  would  have  had 
him  as  fast  as  ever  greyhound  held  hare,  ere  I  left  off 
the  chase.  Were  it  not  for  this  foolish  armour,  which 
encumbers  without  defending  one,  I  would  not  have  made 
two  bounds  without  taking  him  by  the  throat." 

"  As  well,  as  it  is,"  said  the  officer,  who  was,  in  fact, 
the  Acoulouthos,  or  Follower,  so  called  because  it  was  the 
duty  of  this  highly-trusted  officer  of  the  Varangian 
Guards  constantly  to  attend  on  the  person  of  the  Em- 
peror. "  But  let  us  now  see  by  what  means  we  are  to 
regain  our  entrance  through  the  gate ;  for  if,  as  I  suspect, 
it  was  one  of  those  warders  who  was  willing  to  have 
played  thee  a  trick,  his  companions  may  not  let  us  enter 
willingly." 

"And  is  it  not,"  said  the  Varangian,  "your  Valour's 
duty  to  probe  this  want  of  discipline  to  the  bottom  ?  " 

"  Hush  thee  here,  my  simple-minded  savage  !  I  have 
often  told  you,  most  ignorant  Hereward,  that  the  skulls  of 
those  who  come  from  your  cold  and  muddy  Boeotia  of  the 
North,  are  fitter  to  bear  out  twenty  blows  with  a  sledge- 
hammer, than  turn  off  one  witty  or  ingenious  idea.  But 
follow  me,  Hereward,  and  although  I  am  aware  that 
showing  the  fine  meshes  of  Grecian  policy  to  the  coarse 
eye  of  an  unpractised  barbarian  like  thee,  is  much  like 
casting  pearls  before  swine,  a  thing  forbidden  in  the 
Blessed  Gospel,  yet,  as  thou  hast  so  good  a  heart,  and  so 


68  ^VAVl.lcl,l■■.v   NovKi-s. 

tnisfy,  jvs  is  scarce  to  be  met  with  among  my  Varangians 
themselves,  I  care  not  if,  wliilc  thou  art  in  attendance  on 
my  person,  I  endeavour  to  indoctrinate  thee  in  some  of 
that  policy  by  whidi  I  myself — the  Follower — the  chief 
of  the  Varangians,  and  therefore  erected  by  their  axes 
into  the  most  valiant  of  the  valiant,  am  content  to  guide 
rayself,  although  every  way  qualified  to  bear  me  through 
the  cross  currents  of  the  court  by  main  pull  of  oar  and 
press  of  sail — a  condescension  in  me,  to  do  that  by  policy, 
which  no  man  in  this  imperial  court,  the  chosen  sphere  of 
superior  wits,  could  so  well  aceomjilish  l)y  open  force  as 
myself.     "What  think'st  thou,  good  savage  ?  " 

"  I  know,"  answered  the  Varangian,  who  walked  about 
a  step  and  a  half  behind  his  leader,  like  an  orderly  of  the 
present  day  behind  his  officer's  shoulder,  "  I  should  be 
eorry  to  trouble  my  head  with  what  I  could  do  by  my 
hands  at  once." 

"  Did  I  not  say  so  ?  "  replied  the  Follower,  who  had 
now  for  some  minutes  led  tlie  way  from  the  Golden  Gate, 
and  was  seen  gliding  along  the  outside  of  the  moonlight 
walls,  as  if  seeking  an  entrance  elsewhere.  "  Lo,  such  is 
the  stuff  of  what  you  call  your  head  is  made !  Your 
hands  and  arms  are  perfect  Achitophels,  compared  to  it. 
Hearken  to  me,  thou  most  ignorant  of  all  animals, — but, 
for  liiat  very  reason,  thou  stoutest  of  confidants,  and 
bravest  of  soMiers, — I  will  tell  th^e  the  very  riddle  of 
this  niglit-work,  and  yet,  even  tin  ii  I  doiilit  if  thou  canst 
understand  ini-." 

"  It  is  my  present  <luty  to  try  to  comprehend  your 
Valour,"  said  the  Varangian — "  I  would  say  your  policy, 
since  you  condescend  to  expound  it  to  me.  As  for  your 
valour,"  he  ailded,  "  I  should  be  unlucky  if  I  did  not  think 
I  understand  its  length  and  breadth  already." 


COUNT    ROBKRT    OF    PARIS.  66 

The  Greek  general  coloured  a  little,  but  replied,  with 
unaltered  voice,  "  True,  good  Hereward.  We  have  seen 
each  other  in  battle." 

Hereward  here  could  not  suppress  a  short  cough,  which 
to  those  grammarians  of  the  day  who  were  skilful  in 
applying  the  use  of  accents,  would  have  implied  no 
peculiar  eulogium  on  his  officer's  military  bravery.  In- 
deed, during  their  whole  intercourse,  the  conversation  of 
the  General,  in  spite  of  his  tone  of  affected  importance 
and  superiority,  displayed  an  obvious  respect  for  his  com- 
panion, as  one  who,  in  many  points  of  action,  might,  if 
brought  to  the  test,  prove  a  more  effective  soldier  than 
himself.  On  the  other  hand,  when  the  powerful  Northern 
warrior  replied,  although  it  was  with  all  observance  of 
discipline  and  duty,  yet  the  discussion  might  sometimes 
resemble  that  between  an  ignorant  macaroni  officer,  be- 
fore the  Duke  of  York's  reformation  of  the  British  army, 
and  a  steady  sergeant  of  the  regiment  in  which  they 
both  served.  There  was  a  consciousness  of  superiority, 
disguised  by  external  respect,  and  half  admitted  by  the 
leader. 

"  You  will  grant  me,  my  simple  friend,"  continued  the 
chief,  in  the  same  tone  as  before,  "  in  order  to  lead  thee 
by  a  short  passage  into  the  deepest  principle  of  policy 
which  pervades  this  same  court  of  Constantinople,  that 
the  favour  of  the  Emperor"— (here  the  officer  raised  his 
casque,  and  the  soldier  made  a  semblance  of  doing  so 
also) — "who  (be  the  place  where  he  puts  his  foot 
sacred!)  is  the  vivifying  principle  of  the  sphere  in 
which  we  live,  as  the  sun  itself  is  that  of  human- 
ity"  

"I  have  heard  something  like  this  said  by  our  tri- 
bunes," said  the  Varangian. 


70  ■WAVKKI.KY    NOVKLS. 

"  It  is  their  duty  so  to  instruct  you,"  answered  the 
leadrr ;  "ami  I  trust  that  the  priests  also,  in  their  sphere, 
forget  not  to  teach  my  Varangians  their  constant  service 
to  their  Kniperor." 

"  They  do  not  omit  it,"  replied  the  soldier,  "  though  we 
of  the  exiles  know  our  duty." 

"  God  forbid  I  should  doubt  it,"  said  the  commander 
of  the  battle-axes.  "  All  I  mean  i>  to  make  thee  under- 
stand, my  dear  Hereward.  that  :i>  there  ;iri',  though  per- 
haps such  do  not  exist  in  thy  dark  and  gloomy  climate,  a 
race  of  insects  which  are  born  in  the  first  rays  of  the 
morning,  and  expire  with  those  of  sunset,  (thence  called 
by  us  ephemera?,  as  enduring  one  day  only,)  such  is  the 
case  of  a  favourite  at  court,  while  enjoying  the  smiles  of 
the  most  sacred  Emperor.  And  happy  is  luj  whose 
favour,  rising  as  the  person  of  the  sovereign  emerges 
from  the  level  space  which  extends  around  the  throne, 
displays  itself  in  the  first  imperial  blaze  of  glory,  and 
who,  keeping  his  ])ost  during  tlie  meridian  s]ili'iidour  of 
the  crown,  has  oidy  the  fate  to  disappear  and  (he  with  the 
last  heani  of  imperial  hriglitness." 

"  Y(»Mr  Valour."  sai<l  the  islander,  "speaks  Idgher 
languiige  than  my  Northern  wits  are  able  to  comprehend. 
Only,  methinks,  rather  than  part  with  life  at  the  sunset, 
I  woidd,  since  insect  I  must  needs  be,  become  a  moth  for 
two  or  thret!  dark  hours." 

"Such  is  the  sordid  desire  of  the  vulgar,  Ilere- 
wanh"  aM>wered  the  Follower  with  assumed  superiority, 
"who  are  contented  to  enjoy  life,  lacking  dislincti«)n  ; 
whereas  we,  on  the  other  hand,  we  of  choicer  rpiaiity. 
who  form  the  nearest  and  innermost  circle  aroum!  the 
Imperial  Alexius,  in  wiiich  he  himself  forms  th«'  central 
point,  are  watchful,  to  wonian's  jealousy,  of  the  distribu- 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  71 

tion  of  his  favours,  and  omit  no  opportunity,  whether 
by  leaguing  with  or  against  each  other,  to  recommend 
ourselves  individually  to  the  peculiar  light  of  his  counte- 
nance." 

"  I  think  I  comprehend  what  you  mean,"  said  the 
guardsman  ;  "  although  as  for  living  such  a  life  of  in- 
trigue— but  that  matters  not." 

"  It  does  indeed  matter  not,  my  good  Hereward,"  said 
his  officer,  "  and  thou  art  lucky  in  having  no  appetite  for 
the  life  I  have  described.  Yet  have  I  seen  barbarians 
rise  high  in  the  empire,  and  if  they  have  not  altogether 
the  flexibility,  the  malleability,  as  it  is  called — that 
happy  ductility  which  can  give  way  to  circumstances,  I 
have  yet  known  those  of  barbaric  tribes,  especially  if  bred 
up  at  court  from  their  youth,  who  joined  to  a  limited 
portion  of  this  flexile  quality  enough  of  a  certain  tough 
durability  of  temper,  which,  if  it  does  not  excel  in  avail- 
ing itself  of  opportunity,  has  no  contemptible  talent  at 
creating  it.  But  letting  comparisons  pass,  it  follows,  from 
this  emulation  of  glory,  that  is,  of  royal  favour,  amongst 
the  servants  of  the  imperial  and  most  sacred  coui't,  that 
each  is  desirous  of  distinguishing  himself  by  showing  to 
the  Emperor,  not  only  that  he  fully  understands  the  duties 
of  his  own  employments,  but  that  he  is  capable,  in  case 
of  necessity,  of  discharging  those  of  others." 

"  I  understand,"  said  the  Saxon  ;  "  and  thence  it  hap- 
pens that  the  under  ministers,  soldiers,  and  assistants  of 
the  great  crown-officers,  are  perpetually  engaged,  not  in 
aiding  each  other,  but  in  acting  as  spies  on  their  neigh- 
bours' actions  ?  " 

"  Even  so,"  answered  the  commander ;  "  it  is  but  few 
days  since  1  had  a  disagreeable  instance  of  it.  Every 
one,  however  dull  in  the  intellect,  hath  understood  thus 


72  WAVKUl-KY    NOVKI.S. 

riiucli,  that  tlie  great  rn)to.s|>:illiiiirL',*  wliicli  title;  tliou 
kiiuwesl  sigiiilics  the  Geiienil-iii-chR't"  of  the  force:?  of  the 
empire,  hatii  me  at  hatred,  because  I  am  the  leader  of 
those  redoubtable  Varangians,  who  enjoy,  and  well  de- 
serve, privileges  exempting  them  from  the  absolute  com- 
mand which  he  possesses  over  all  other  corps  of  the  army 
— an  aiitliority  which  becomes  Nicanor,  notwithstanding 
the  victorious  sound  vi'  his  name,  nearly  as  well  as  a  war- 
saddle  would  become  a  bullock." 

"  How  !  "  said  the  Varangian,  "  does  the  Protospathaire 
j)retend  to  any  authority  over  the  noble  exiles  ? — By  the 
red  dragon,  under  which  we  will  live  and  die,  we  will 
obey  no  man  alive  but  Alexius  Comncnus  himself,  and 
our  own  officers  !  " 

"  Rightly  and  bravely  resolved."  said  iIk;  leader  ;  "  but, 
my  good  Ilereward,  let  not  your  just  indignation  hurry 
you  so  far  as  to  name  the  most  sacred  Emperor,  wiliiout 
raising  your  hand  to  your  cas(pu',  and  ailding  the  epithets 
of  his  lofty  rank." 

"  I  will  raise  my  hand  often  enough  and  high  enough," 
said  the  Norseman,  "  when  the  Emperor's  service  re- 
quires it." 

"  I  dare  be  sworn  thou  wilt,"  said  Achilles  Tatius,  the 
commander  of  the  Varangian  Imperial  Body  Guard,  who 
thougiit  tiie  time  was  unfavourable  for  distinguishing  him- 
self by  insisting  on  that  exact  observance  of  eticjuette, 
which  was  one  of  his  great  pretensions  to  the  nam*-  of  a 
soldier.  "  Yet  were  it  not  for  the  constant  vigilance  of 
your  leader,  ray  child,  the  noble  Varangians  woidd  be 
trode  down,  in  tlni  eonnnon  mass  of  the  army,  with  the 
heathen  cohorts  of  Huns,  Scythians,  or  those  tiirban'd 
infidels  the  renegade  Turks  ;  and  even  lor  this  is  your 
*  Literally,  the  First  Swordsinan. 


COUNT  nOBERT  OP  PARIS.  73 

commander  here  in  peril,  because  he  vindicates  his  axe- 
men as  worthy  of  being  prized  above  the  paltry  shafts  of 
the  Eastern  tribes  and  the  javelins  of  the  Moors,  which 
are  only  fit  to  be  playthings  for  children." 

"  You  are  exposed  to  no  dangei-,"  said  the  soldier, 
closing  up  to  Achilles  in  a  confidential  manner,  "  from 
which  these  axes  can  protect  you." 

"  Do  I  not  know  it  ? "  said  Achilles.  "  But  it  is  to 
your  arms  alone  that  the  Follower  of  his  most  sacred 
Majesty  now  intrusts  his  safety." 

"  In  aught  that  a  soldier  may  do,"  answered  Here- 
wai'd  ;  "  make  your  own  computation,  and  then  reckon  this 
single  arm  worth  two  against  any  man  the  Emperor  has, 
not  being  of  our  own  corps." 

"  Listen,  my  brave  friend,"  continued  Achilles.  ''  This 
Nicanor  was  daring  enough  to  throw  a  reproach  on  our 
noble  corps,  accusing  them — gods  and  goddesses  ! — of 
plundering  in  the  field,  and,  yet  more  sacrilegious,  of 
drinking  the  precious  wine  which  was  prepared  for  his 
most  sacred  Majesty's  own  blessed  consumption.  I,  the 
sacred  person  of  the  Emperor  being  present,  proceeded, 
as  thou  may  St  well  believe" 

"  To  give  him  the  lie  in  his  audacious  throat ! "  burst 
in  the  Varangian — "  named  a  place  of  meeting  some- 
where in  the  vicinity,  and  called  the  attendance  of  your 
poor  follower,  Hereward  of  Hampton,  who  is  your  bond- 
slave for  life  long,  for  such  an  honour !  I  wish  only  you 
had  told  me  to  get  my  work-day  arms  ;  but,  however,  I 

have  my  battle-axe,  and  " Here  his  companion  seized 

a  moment  to  break  in,  for  he  was  somewhat  abashed  at 
the  lively  tone  of  the  young  soldier. 

"  Hush  thee,  my  son,"  said  Achilles  Tatius ;  "  speak 
low,  my  excellent  Hereward.     Thou  mistakest  this  thing. 


74  WAVKKl.KY    NOVKLS. 

With  thee  by  my  side,  I  would  not,  indeed,  lieaitate  to 
meet  five  such  as  Nicanur ;  bnt  sueh  is  not  tlie  hiw  of 
this  most  hallowed  empire,  nor  the  sentiments  of  the 
three  times  illii«trioiis  Prince  who  now  rules  it.  Thou 
art  dehauched,  my  soldier,  with  the  swaggering  stories 
of  the  Franks,  of  whom  we  hear  more  and  more  every 
day." 

"I  would  not  willingly  borrow  any  thing  from  those 
whom  yon  call  Franks  and  we  Normans,"  answered  the 
Varangian,  in  a  disappointed,  dogged  tone. 

*•  Why,  listen,  then,"  said  the  officer  as  they  proceeded 
on  their  walk,  "  listen  to  the  reason  of  the  thing,  and  con- 
sider whether  such  a  custom  can  obtain,  as  that  which 
they  term  the  duello,  in  any  country  of  civilisation  and 
common  sense,  to  say  nothing  of  one  which  is  blessed 
with  the  domination  of  the  most  rare  Alexius  Comnenus. 
Two  great  Icjrds,  or  high  officers,  quarrel  in  the  court,  and 
before  the  i-<verend  person  of  tlie  Emperor.  They  dis- 
pute about  a  point  of  fact.  Now,  instead  of  each  main- 
taining his  own  o|iiiii(in  by  argument  or  evidence,  suppose 
they  had  adopter!  the  custom  of  these  barbarous  Franks, 
— '  Why,  thou  liest  in  thy  throat,'  says  the  one  ;  '  and 
thou  liest  in  thy  very  lungs,'  says  another;  and  they 
measure  forth  the  lists  of  battle  in  the  next  meadow. 
Yjiwh  swear-  to  tlie  truth  of  his  quarrel,  though  probably 
neither  well  knows  precisely  how  the  fact  stands.  One, 
perha|)-i  tin-  hardier,  truer,  and  better  man  of  the  two,  the 
Follower  of  the  Emperor,  and  fatli<i-  of  tlic  Varangians, 
(for  death,  my  faithful  follower,  spares  no  man.)  lies  dead 
on  tin;  ground,  and  the  other  <-oines  l)aek  to  predominate 
in  the  court,  when',  had  the  matter  ixeii  iiKjiiired  into  by 
the  rules  of  common  sense  and  reason,  the  victor,  as  he  is 
tormed,  would  have  been  sent  to  the  gallows.     And  yet 


COUNT   ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  75 

this  is  tlie  law  of  arms,  as  your  fancy  pleases  to  call  it, 
friend  Ilereward ! " 

"  May  it  please  your  Valour,"  answered  the  barbarian, 
"there  is  a  show  of  sense  in  what  you  say;  but  you  will 
sooner  convince  me  that  this  blessed  moonlight  is  the 
blackness  of  a  wolf's  mouth,  than  that  I  ought  to  hear 
myself  called  liar,  without  cramming  the  epithet  down  the 
speaker's  throat  with  the  spike  of  my  battle-axe.  The 
lie  is  to  a  man  the  same  as  a  blow,  and  a  blow  degrades 
him  into  a  slave  and  a  beast  of  bui'den,  if  endured  with- 
out retaliation." 

"  Ay,  there  it  is  !  "  said  Achilles  ;  "  could  I  but  get  you 
to  lay  aside  that  inborn  barbarism,  which  leads  you,  other- 
wise the  most  disciplined  soldiers  who  serve  the  sacred 
Emperor,  into  such  deadly  quarrels  and  feuds  " 

"  Sir  Captain,"  said  the  Varangian,  in  a  sullen  tone, 
"  take  my  advice,  and  take  the  Varangians  as  you  have 
them  ;  for,  believe  my  word,  that  if  you  could  teach  them 
to  endure  reproaches,  bear  the  lie,  or  tolerate  stripes,  you 
would  hardly  find  them,  when  their  discipline  is  com- 
pleted, worth  the  single  day's  salt  which  they  cost  to  his 
holiness,  if  that  be  his  title.  I  must  tell  you,  moreover, 
valorous  sir,  that  the  Varangians  will  little  thank  their 
leader,  who  heard  them  called  marauders,  drunkards, 
and  what  not,  and  repelled  not  the  charge  on  the 
spot." 

"Now,  if  I  knew  not  the  humours  of  my  barbarians," 
thought  Tatius,  in  his  own  mind,  "  I  should  bring  on  my- 
self a  quarrel  with  these  untamed  islanders,  who  the  Em- 
peror thinks  can  be  so  easily  kept  in  discipline.  But  I 
•will  settle  this  sport  presently."  Accordingly,  he  ad- 
dressed the  Saxon  in  a  soothing  tone. 

"  My  faithful  soldier,"  he  proceeded  aloud,  "  we  Ro- 


76  WAvrni.r.Y  novki.s. 

iniin-,  atTonliiig  to  tin-  cii^toin  of  our  ancestors,  sot  as 
iniifli  glory  on  actually  t<Iliug  tliu  truth,  as  you  do  in 
resenting  the  imputation  ot"  falsehood  ;  and  I  couM  not 
with  honour  return  a  charge  of  falsehood  upon  Nicanor. 
since  what  he  said  was  substantially  true." 

"  What !  that  we  Varangians  were  plunderers,  drunk- 
ards, and  the  like  ?  "  said  Ilereward,  more  impatient  than 
before. 

"  No,  surely,  not  in  that  broad  sense,"  sai<l  Achilles  ; 
"but  there  was  too  much  foundation  for  the  legend." 

"  When  and  where  ?  "  asked  the  Anglo-Saxon. 

"You  remember,"  replied  his  leader,  "the  long  march 
near  Laodicea,  where  the  Varangians  lu-at  off"  a  cloud  of 
Turks,  and  retook  a  train  of  tlie  imperial  baggage?  You 
know  what  was  dune  that  day — 1k)w  you  ([uenched  your 
thirst,  I  mean  ?  " 

"I  have  some  reason  to  remember  it,"  said  Ilereward 
of  Hampton  ;  "for  we  were  half  choked  with  dust,  fatigue, 
and,  which  was  worst  of  all,  constantly  fighting  with  our 
faces  to  the  rear,  when  we  found  some  iirkins  of  wine  in 
certain  carriages  which  were  broken  down — down  our 
throats  it  went,  as  if  it  had  been  the  best  ale  in  Southamp- 
ton." 

"All,  uidi:i[)py !  "  said  the  Follower;  "saw  ye  not  that 
the  firkins  were  stamped  with  the  thrice  excellent  Grand 
Butler's  own  invi<(lable  seal,  and  set  apart  for  the 
private  use  of  his  Imperial  Majesty's  most  sacred 
lips  ?  " 

"  By  good  Saint  George  of  merry  England,  worth  a 
dozen  of  your  Saint  George  of  Cappadocia,  I  neither 
thought  nor  cared  alx^ut  the  matter,"  answered  Ilereward. 
"And  I  know  your  Valour  drank  a  mighty  draught  your- 
self out  of  my  head-piece ;  not  this  silver  bauble,  but  ray 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  77 

Steel-cap,  wliicli  is  twice  as  ample.  By  the  same  token, 
that  wliereas  before  you  were  giving  orders  to  fall  back, 
you  were  a  changed  man  when  you  had  cleared  your 
throat  of  the  dust,  and  cried,  '  Bide  the  other  brunt,  my 
brave  and  stout  boys  of  Britain  ! ' " 

"Ay,"  said  Achilles,  "  I  know  I  am  but  too  apt  to  be  ven- 
turous in  action.  But  you  mistake,  good  Ilereward ;  the 
wine  I  tasted  in  the  extremity  of  martial  fatigue,  was  not 
that  set  apart  for  his  sacred  Majesty's  own  peculiar  mouth, 
but  a  secondary  sort,  preserved  for  the  Grand  Butler  him- 
self, of  which,  as  one  of  the  great  officers  of  the  house- 
hold, I  might  right  lawfully  partake — the  chance  was 
nevertheless  sinfully  unhappy." 

"  On  my  life,"  replied  Hereward,  "  I  cannot  see  the 
infelicity  of  drinking  when  we  are  dying  of  thirst." 

"  But  cheer  up,  my  noble  comrade,"  said  AchiUes,  after 
he  had  hurried  over  his  own  exculpation,  and  without 
noticing  the  Varangian's  light  estimation  of  the  crime, 
"  his  Imperial  Majesty,  in  his  ineffable  graciousness,  im- 
putes these  ill-advised  draughts  as  a  crime  to  no  one  who 
partook  of  them.  He  rebuked  the  Protospathaire  for 
fishing  up  this  accusation,  and  said,  when  he  had  recalled 
the  bustle  and  confusion  of  that  toilsome  day,  '  I  thought 
myself  well  off  amid  that  seven  times  heated  furnace, 
when  we  obtained  a  draught  of  the  barley-wine  drunk  by 
my  poor  Varangians  ;  and  I  drank  their  health,  as  well  I 
might,  since,  had  it  not  been  for  their  services,  I  had 
drunk  my  last ;  and  well  fare  their  hearts,  though  they 
quaffed  my  wine  in  return  ! '  And  with  that  he  turned 
off,  as  one  who  said,  '  I  have  too  much  of  this,  being  a 
finding  of  matter  and  ripping  up  of  stories  against  Achil- 
les Tatius  and  his  gallant  Varangians.'  " 

"  Now,  may  God  bless  his  honest  heart  for  it ! "  said 


78  WAVKRI.KY    N(»Vi:r.S. 

Ilfivwanl,  with  iiioir  <lo\vnriglit  heartiness  than  formal 
respect.  "  I'll  drink  to  his  lieahh  in  what  I  pnt  next  to 
my  hps  that  quenclies  thirst,  whether  it  may  he  ale,  wine, 
i)V  ditch-water." 

"Why,  well  said,  but  speak  not  above  thy  l)reath  !  and 
remember  to  })nt  thy  hand  to  thy  forelicad,  when  naming, 
or  even  thinking  of  the  Kmperor ! — Well,  thou  knowest, 
Hereward,  that  having  thus  olttaiiied  the  advantage,  I 
knew  that  the  moment  of  a  repulsed  attack  is  always  that 
of  a  successful  charge;  and  so  I  brought  against  the 
Protospathaire,  Nicanor,  the  robberies  which  have  been 
committed  at  the  Golden  Gate,  and  other  entrances  of 
the  cit}^  where  a  merchant  was  but  of  late  kidnapped 
and  murdered,  having  on  him  certain  jewels,  the  property 
of  the  ratriarch." 

"Ay!   indeed?"  said   the  Varangian;  "and  what  said 

Alex I   mean    the    most   sacred  Emperor,  when  he 

heard  such  things  said  of  the  city  warders? — though  he 
had  himself  given,  as  we  say  in  our  land,  the  fox  the 
geese  to  keep." 

"It  maybe  he  did,"  replied  Achilles ;  "but  he  is  a 
sovereign  of  deep  policy,  and  was  resolved  not  to  proceed 
against  thes(!  treacherous  warders,  or  their  general,  the 
Protospathaire,  without  decisive  proof.  His  sacred  Maj- 
esty, therefore,  charged  me  to  obtain  specific  circiiiM>laii- 
tial  j)roof  by  thy  mean~." 

"And  tlial  I  would  have  managed  in  two  minutes,  had 
you  not  called  me  off  the  chase  of  yon  cut-throat  vaga- 
bond. 15ut  his  graci-  knows  the  word  of  a  Varangian, 
and  I  can  a>.-ure  him  ili.tt  .  iili.r  lucre  of  my  silver  gaber- 
dine, which  they  nickname  a  cuirass,  or  the  hatred  of  my 
corps,  would  lie  suilicient  to  incite  any  (»f  these  knaves  to 
cut  the  ihnjal  ol' a  ^  arangian,  who  a])piarc<i  in  be  a-leep. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  79 

So  we  go,  I  suppose,  captain,  to  bear  evidence  before  the 
Emperor  to  this  night's  work  ?  " 

"  No,  my  active  soldier,  hadst  thou  taken  the  runaway- 
villain,  my  first  act  must  have  been  to  set  him  free  again ; 
and  my  present  chai-ge  to  you  is,  to  forget  that  such  an 
adventure  has  ever  taken  place." 

"  Ha !  "  said  the  Varangian  ;  "  this  is  a  change  of  policy 
indeed ! " 

"  Why,  yes,  brave  Hereward ;  ere  I  left  the  palace 
this  night,  the  Patriarch  made  overtures  of  reconciliation 
betwixt  me  and  the  Protospathaire,  which,  as  our  agree- 
ment is  of  much  consequence  to  the  state,  I  could  not 
very  well  reject,  either  as  a  good  soldier  or  a  good  Chris- 
tian. All  offences  to  my  honour  are  to  be  in  the  fullest 
degree  repaid,  for  Avhich  the  Patriarch  interposes  his 
wan-ant.  The  Emperor,  who  will  rather  wink  hard  than 
see  disagreements,  loves  better  the  matter  should  be  slur- 
red over  thus." 

"And  the  reproaches  upon  the  Varangians,"  said  Here- 
ward  

"  Shall  be  fully  retracted  and  atoned  for,"  answered 
Achilles ;  "  and  a  weighty  donative  in  gold  dealt  among 
the  corps  of  the  Anglo-Danish  axe-men.  Thou,  my 
Hereward,  mayst  be  distributor ;  and  thus,  if  well-man- 
aged, mayst  plate  thy  battle-axe  with  gold." 

"  I  love  my  axe  better  as  it  is,"  said  the  Vai*angian. 
"  My  father  bore  it  against  the  robber  Normans  at  Has- 
tings.    Steel  instead  of  gold  for  my  money." 

"  Thou  mayst  make  thy  choice,  Hereward,"  answered 
his  officer ;  "  only,  if  thou  art  poor,  say  the  fault  was 
thine  own." 

But  here,  in  the  course  of  their  circuit  round  Constan- 
tinople, the  officer  and  his  soldier  came  to  a  veiy  small 


80 


AV.WKIM.KV    Novri, 


wicket  or  sallyjxjrt,  opciiin;:  on  tlir  iiitrrior  of  a  larj;e  and 
massive  advanced  work,  wliicli  tcrmiiijiti'd  an  entrance 
to  tlie  city  itself.  Here  tlic  oHicor  halted,  and  made  his 
obedience,  as  a  devotee  who  is  about  to  enter  a  chapel  of 
peculiar  sanctity. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  81 


CHAPTER  III. 

Here,  youth,  thy  foot  unbrace. 

Here,  youth,  thy  brow  unbraid; 
Each  tribute  that  may  grace 

The  threshold  here  be  paid. 
Walk  with  the  stealthy  pace 

Which  Nature  teaches  deer, 
When,  echoing  in  the  chase, 

The  huater's  horn  they  hear. 

The  Court. 

Before  entering,  Achilles  Tatius  made  various  ges- 
ticulations which  were  imitated  roughly  and  awkwardly 
by  the  unpractised  Varangian,  whose  service  with  his 
corps  had  been  almost  entirely  in  the  field,  his  routine  of 
duty  not  having,  till  very  lately,  called  him  to  serve  as 
one  of  the  garrison  of  Constantinople.  He  was  not, 
therefore,  acquainted  with  the  minute  observances  which 
the  Greeks,  who  were  the  most  formal  and  ceremonious 
soldiers  and  courtiers  in  the  world,  rendered  not  merely 
to  the  Greek  Emperor  in  person,  but  throughout  the 
sphere  which  peculiarly  partook  of  his  influence. 

Achilles,  having  gesticulated  after  his  own  fashion,  at 
length  touched  the  door  with  a  rap,  distinct  at  once  and 
modest.  This  was  thrice  repeated,  when  the  captain 
whispered  to  his  attendant,  "  The  interior  ! — for  thy  life, 
do  as  thou  seest  me  do."  At  the  same  moment  he  started 
back,  and,  stooping  his  head  on  his  breast,  with  his  hands 
over  his  eyes,  as  if  to  save  them  from  being  dazzled  by 

VOL.  XLVII.  6 


82  WAVKIfl.I.Y     NOV  1.1, S. 

an  rxi>(,'('tf'cl  Iturst  of  liglit,  awaittd  tliu  answer  (u  liis  suin- 
inoiis.  The  Anglo-Dane,  desirous  to  obey  his  leader,  imi- 
tating him  as  near  as  he  could,  stood  side  hy  side  in  the 
postUH'  of  Oriental  humiliation.  Tlie  little  portal  opened 
inwards,  when  no  hiii'st  of  liglit  was  seen,  hut  four  of  the 
Varangians  were  made  visii)le  in  the  entranee,  holding 
eaeh  his  hattle-axe,  as  if  about  to  strik(;  down  the  in- 
truders who  had  disturbed  the  silence  of  their  watch. 

"  Acoulouthos,"  said  the  leader,  by  way  of  password. 

"  Tatius  and  Acoulouthos,"  murmured  the  warders  as  a 
countersign. 

Each  sentinel  sunk  his  weapon. 

Achilles  then  reared  his  stately  crest,  with  a  conscious 
dignity  at  making  this  display  of  court  influence  in  the 
eyes  of  his  soldiers.  IIt'n>ward  observed  an  undisturl)ed 
gravity,  to  the  surprise  of  his  oilicer,  who  marvelled  in 
his  own  mind  how  he  could  be  such  a  barbarian  as  to 
regard  with  apathy  a  scene,  which  had  in  his  eyes  the 
most  impressive  and  peculiar  awe.  This  indifference  he 
imputed  to  the  stupid  insensibility  of  his  companion. 

Tiiey  passed  on  between  the  sentinels,  who  wheeled 
backward  in  fde,  on  each  side  of  the  portal,  and  gave  the 
strangers  entrance  to  a  long  narrow  plank,  stretched 
across  the  city-moat,  which  was  here  drawn  within  the 
enclosure  of  an  external  rampart,  projecting  beyond  the 
principal  wall  of  the  city. 

'"This,"  he  whispered  to  1  lereward,  "  is  railed  ilie  l)iidg<' 
of  Peril,  and  it  is  said  that  it  has  been  occasionally  smeareii 
with  oil,  or  strewed  with  drie(l  peas,  and  that  tlu;  bodies 
of  men,  known  t<t  have  been  in  company  with  the  Em- 
peror's most  sacred  person,  have  Ixen  taken  out  of  the 
Golden  Horn,*  into  which  the  moat  empties  itself." 
*  Ilic  Imrljour  i)f  Ci»ii^t!iiitiiii.|ilo. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  83 

"  I  would  not  have  thought,"  said  the  islander,  raising 
his  voice  to  its  usual  I'ough  tone,  "  that  Alexius  Cora- 
nenus " 

"  Hush,  rash  and  regardless  of  your  life  !  "  said  Achilles 
Tatius  ;  "  to  awaken  the  daughter  of  the  imperial  arch,* 
is  to  incur  deep  penalty  at  all  times ;  but  when  a  rash 
delinquent  has  disturbed  her  with  reflections  on  his  most 
sacred  Highness  the  Emperor,  death  is  a  punishment 
fur  too  light  for  the  effrontery  which  has  interrupted  her 
blessed  slumber  ! — 111  hath  been  my  fate,  to  have  positive 
commands  laid  on  me,  enjoining  me  to  bring  into  the 
sacred  precincts  a  creature  who  hath  no  more  of  the  salt 
of  civilisation  in  him  than  to  keep  his  mortal  frame  from 
corruption,  since  of  all  mental  culture  he  is  totally  incapa- 
ble. Consider  thyself,  Hereward,  and  bethink  thee  what 
thou  art.  By  nature  a  poor  barbarian — thy  best  boast 
that  thou  hast  slain  certain  Mussulmans  in  thy  sacred 
master's  quarrel ;  and  here  art  thou  admitted  into  the 
inviolable  enclosure  of  the  Blaquernal,  and  in  the  hear- 
ing not  only  of  the  royal  daughter  of  the  imperial  arch, 
which  means,"  said  the  eloquent  leader,  "the  echo  of  the 
sublime  vaults ;  but — Heaven  be  our  guide, — for  what 
I  know,  within  the  natural  hearing  of  the  Sacred  Ear 
itself!" 

"  Well,  my  captain,"  replied  the  Varangian,  "  I  cannot 
presume  to  speak  my  mind  after  the  fashion  of  this  place ; 
but  I  can  easily  suppose  I  am  but  ill  qualified  to  converse 
in  the  presence  of  the  court,  nor  do  1  mean  therefore  to 
say  a  word  till  I  am  spoken  to,  unless  when  I  shall  see  no 
better  company  than  ourselves.  To  be  plain,  I  find  diffi- 
culty in   modelling  my  voice   to  a  smoother  tone  than 

*  The  daughter  of  the  arch  was  a  coui'tly  expression  for  the  echo, 
as  we  find  explained  by  the  courtly  commander  himself. 


84  WAVI.KLKV     NOVI.I.S. 

nature  luis  given  it.  So,  henceforth,  my  hrave  eaptain,  I 
will  be  mute,  unless  when  you  give  me  a  sign  to  speak." 

"  You  will  act  wisely,"  said  the  capinin.  "  Here  be 
certain  persons  of  high  rank,  nay,  some  that  have  been 
born  in  the  purple  itself,  that  will,  Ilercward,  (alas  for 
thee  !)  prepare  to  sound  with  the  line  of  their  courtly 
understanding  the  depths  of  thy  barbarous  and  shallow 
conceit.  Do  not,  therefore,  then,  join  their  graceful  smiles 
with  thy  inhuman  bursts  of  cachination,  with  which  thou 
art  wont  to  thunder  forth  when  opening  in  chorus  with 
thy  messmates." 

"  I  tell  thee  I  will  be  silent,"  said  the  Varangian,  moved 
somewhat  beyond  his  mood.  "  If  you  trust  my  word,  so ; 
if  you  think  I  am  a  jackdaw  that  nuist  be  speaking,  whether 
in  or  out  of  place  and  purpose,  I  am  contented  to  go  back 
again,  and  therein  we  can  end  the  matter." 

Achilles,  conscious  perhaps  that  it  was  his  best  policy 
not  to  drive  his  subaltern  to  extremity,  lowered  his  tone 
somewhat  in  reply  to  the  uncourtly  note  of  the  soldier,  as 
if  allowing  something  for  the  rude  maimers  of  one  whom 
he  considered  as  not  easily  matched  among  the  Varan- 
gians themselves,  for  strength  and  valour;  qualities  which, 
in  despite  of  Ilereward's  discourtesy,  Achilles  suspected  in 
his  heart  were  fully  more  valualde  than  all  those  name- 
less graces  which  a  more  courtly  and  accompli-licd  -oldicr 
might  po.-siss. 

The  exprrt  navigator  oi'  the  intricacies  ol"  tlif  inipriijij 
residence,  carried  the  Varangian  through  two  or  three 
.small  complicateil  courts,  forming  a  part  of  the  extensive 
Palace  of  the  BhKpiernal,*  and  entered  the  building  itself 
l)y  a  side-door — watclicil  in  likr   iiianii'T  by  a  M'titind  of 

*  Thi»  piilnro  derived  its  iimne  fnnii  tlie  iieigliljoiiriiij;  /Jlncliernian 
Gate  uiid  Itridgc. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  85 

the  Varangian  Guard,  whom  they  passed  on  being  recog- 
nised. In  the  next  apartment  was  stationed  the  Court 
of  Guard,  where  were  certain  soldiers  of  the  same  corps 
amusing  themselves  at  games  somewhat  resembling  the 
modern  draughts  and  dice,  while  they  seasoned  their  pas- 
time with  frequent  applications  to  deep  flagons  of  ale, 
which  were  furnished  to  them  while  passing  away  their 
hours  of  duty.  Some  glances  passed  between  Hereward 
and  his  comrades,  and  he  would  have  joined  them,  or  at 
least  spoken  to  them  ;  for,  since  the  adventure  of  the 
Mitylenian,  Hereward  had  rather  thought  himself  an- 
noyed than  distinguished  by  his  moonlight  ramble  in  the 
company  of  his  commander,  excepting  always  the  short 
and  interesting  period  during  which  he  conceived  they 
were  on  the  way  to  fight  a  duel.  Still,  however  negligent 
in  the  strict  observance  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  sacred 
palace,  the  Varangians  had,  in  their  own  way,  rigid  no- 
tions of  calculating  their  military  duty  ;  in  consequence 
of  which  Hereward,  without  speaking  to  his  companions, 
followed  his  leader  through  the  guard-room,  and  one  or 
two  antechambers  adjacent,  the  splendid  and  luxurious 
furniture  of  which  convinced  him  that  he  could  be  no- 
where else  save  in  the  sacred  residence  of  his  master  the 
Emperor. 

At  length,  having  traversed  passages  and  apartments 
with  which  the  captain  seemed  familiar,  and  which  he 
threaded  with  a  stealthy,  silent,  and  apparently  reveren- 
tial pace,  as  if,  in  his  own  inflated  phrase,  afraid  to  awaken 
the  sounding  echoes  of  those  lofty  and  monumental  halls, 
another  species  of  inhabitants  began  to  be  visible.  In 
different  entrances,  and  in  different  apartments,  the  north- 
ern soldier  beheld  those  unfortunate  slaves,  chiefly  of 
African  descent,  raised  occasionally  under  the  Emperors 


86  "WAVKIM.r.V    XOVKI.S. 

of  Greeco  to  great  j)()\v('r  and  lioiioiirs,  who,  in  timt  re- 
spect, imitated  one  of  the  njost  barbarous  points  of  Orien- 
tal despotism.  These  slaves  were  differently  occupied  ; 
some  standing,  as  if  on  guard,  at  gates  or  in  passan^es, 
with  their  drawn  sabres  in  tlieir  hands ;  some  were  sittin«T 
in  the  Oriental  fashion,  on  carpets,  rei)osing  themselves, 
or  playing  at  various  games,  all  of  a  cliaracter  profoundly 
silent.  Not  a  word  passed  between  the  guide  of  Ilere- 
ward.  and  the  witliered  and  deformed  beings  whom  they 
thus  encountered.  The  exchange  of  a  glance  with  the 
principal  soldier  seemed  all  that  was  necessary  to  ensure 
both  an  uninterrupted  passage. 

After  making  their  way  through  several  apartments, 
empty  or  thus  occupied,  they  at  length  entered  one  of 
black  marble,  or  some  other  dark-coloured  stone,  much 
loftier  and  longer  than  the  rest.  Side  passages  opened 
into  it,  so  far  as  the  islander  could  discern,  descending 
from  several  portals  in  the  wall ;  but  as  the  oils  and 
gums  with  which  the  lamps  in  these  passages  were  fed 
diffused  a  dim  vapour  around,  it  was  difficult  to  ascertain, 
from  the  imperfect  light,  either  the  shape  of  the  hall,  or 
the  style  of  it,s  architecture.  At  the  upper  and  lower 
ends  of  the  chamber,  there  was  a  stronger  and  cleai-er 
light.  It  was  when  they  were  in  the  middle  of  this  hug<; 
and  long  apartment,  that  Achilles  said  to  the  soldier,  in 
the  sort  of  cautionary  whisper  which  he  appeared  to  have 
substituteil  in  i)Iac('  of  his  natural  voice  sinc<-  he  ii.i'l 
crossed  the  IWidirr  of  Peril — 

"Remain  ht-n-  till  1  n-luni.  and  -tlr  from  this  hall  on 
no  account." 

''  To  hear  is  to  obey,"  answered  the  Varangian,  an  i-x- 
pression  of  obedience,  which,  like  many  other  j)lirase3 
and  fashions,  the  empire,  which  >lill  affected  th<;  name  of 


COUNT    KOBERT    OF    PARIS.  87 

Roman,  had  borrowed  from  the  barbarians  of  the  East. 
Achilles  Tatius  then  hastened  up  the  steps  which  led  to 
one  of  the  side-doors  of  the  hall,  which  being  slightly 
pressed,  its  noiseless  hinge  gave  way  and  admitted  him. 
Left  alone  to  amuse  himself  as  he  best  could,  within 
the  limits  permitted  to  him,  the  Varangian  visited  in 
succession  both  ends  of  the  hall,  where  the  objects  were 
more  visible  than  elsewhere.  The  lower  end  had  in  its 
centre  a  small  low-browed  door  of  iron.  Over  it  was 
displayed  the  Greek  crucifix  in  bronze,  and  ai'ound  and 
on  every  side,  the  representation  of  shackles,  fetter-bolts, 
and  the  like,  were  also  executed  in  bronze,  and  disposed 
as  appropriate  ornaments  over  the  entrance.  The  door 
of  the  dark  archway  was  half  open,  and  Hereward 
naturally  looked  in,  the  orders  of  his  chief  not  prohib- 
iting his  satisfying  his  curiosity  thus  far.  A  dense  red 
light,  more  like  a  distant  spark  than  a  lamp,  affixed  to 
the  wall  of  what  seemed  a  very  narrow  and  winding 
stair,  resembling  in  shape  and  size  a  draw-well,  the  verge 
of  which  opened  on  the  threshold  of  the  iron  door, 
showed  a  descent  which  seemed  to  conduct  to  the  infernal 
regions.  The  Varangian,  however  obtuse  he  might  be 
considered  by  the  quick-witted  Greeks,  had  no  difficulty 
in  comprehending  that  a  staircase,  having  such  a  gloomy 
appearance,  and  the  access  to  which  was  by  a  portal 
decorated  in  such  a  melancholy  style  of  architecture, 
could  only  lead  to  the  dungeons  of  the  imperial  palace, 
the  size  and  complicated  number  of  which  were  neither 
the  least  remarkable,  nor  the  least  awe-imposing  portion 
of  the  saci'ed  edifice.  Listening  profoundly,  he  even 
thought  he  caught  such  accents  as  befit  those  graves  of 
living  men,  the  faint  echoing  of  groans  and  sighs,  sound- 
ing as  it  were  from  the  deep  abyss  beneath.     But  in  this 


88  WAVKKI.KV    XUVKI.S. 

respect  his  faincy  probably  fillod  up  the  skctrh  which  his 
conjectures  bocUeil  out. 

"  I  biivc  done  nothing,"  he  thought,  "  to  merit  l)eing 
imuiuroil  in  one  of  these  subterrunean  dens.  Surely, 
though  ray  captain,  Achilles  Tatius,  is,  under  fa\our, 
little  better  than  an  ass,  he  cannot  be  so  false  of  word 
as  to  train  ine  to  prison  under  false  pretexts?  I  trow  he 
shall  lirst  see  for  the  last  time  how  tlie  English  axe  plays, 
if  such  is  to  be  the  sport  of  tlie  evening.  But  let  us  see 
the  upper  end  of  this  enormous  vault ;  it  may  bear  a 
better  omen." 

Thus  thinking,  and  not  quite  ruling  the  tramp  of  his 
armed  footstep,  according  to  the  ceremonies  of  the  place, 
the  large-limbed  Saxon  strode  to  the  upper  end  of  the 
black  marble  hall.  The  ornament  of  the  portal  here  was 
a  small  altar,  like  those  in  the  temples  of  the  heathen 
deities,  which  projected  above  the  centre  of  tin-  arch. 
On  this  altar  smoked  incense  of  some  sort,  the  fumes  of 
which  rose  curling  in  a  thin  cloud  to  the  roof,  and  thence 
extending  through  the  hall,  enveloped  in  its  column  of 
smoke  a  singular  emblem,  of  wliich  the  Varangian  could 
make  notliing.  It  was  the  representation  of  two  human 
arm-  and  hands,  seeming  to  issue  from  the  wall,  having 
the  palms  extendeil  and  open,  as  about  to  confer  some 
boon  on  those  who  approached  tlie  altar.  Tbese  arms 
were  formed  of  bronze,  and  being  placed  farther  back 
than  the  altar  with  its  incense,  were  seen  through  the 
curling  smoke  by  lamps  so  disposed  as  to  illuminate  the 
whole  archway.  "TIk;  meaning  of  this,"  thought  the 
simple  barbarian,"!  .-lioiiM  well  know  liow  to  explain, 
were  these  fists  clencheil,  and  wi-re  the  hall  dedicated  to 
\\w  pancrntion,  which  we  eall  l)uxing ;  but  as  even  these 
hcli)le3S  Greeks  use  not    ili<  ir  liamls  with(jut  tlieii-  fingers 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  89 

being  closed,  by  St.  George  I  can  make  out  nothing  of 
their  meaning." 

At  this  instant  Achilles  entered  the  black  marble  hall 
at  the  same  door  by  which  he  had  left  it,  and  came  up  to 
his  neophyte,  as  the  Vai'angian  might  be  termed. 

"  Come  with  me  now,  Hereward,  for  here  approaches 
the  thick  of  the  onset.  Now,  display  the  utmost  courage 
that  thou  canst  summon  up,  for  believe  me,  thy  credit  and 
name  also  depend  on  it." 

"  Fear  nothing  for  either,"  said  Hereward,  "  if  the  heart 
or  hand  of  one  man  can  bear  him  through  the  adventure 
by  the  help  of  a  toy  like  this." 

'•  Keep  thy  voice  low  and  submissive,  I  have  told  thee 
a  score  of  times,"  said  the  leader,  "  and  lower  thine  axe, 
which,  as  I  bethink  me,  thou  hadst  better  leave  in  the 
outer  apartment." 

"  With  your  leave,  noble  captain,"  replied  Hereward, 
"  I  am  unwilling  to  lay  aside  my  bread-winner.  I  am 
one  of  those  awkward  clowns  who  cannot  behave  seemly 
unless  I  have  something  to  occupy  my  hands,  and  my 
faithful  battle-axe  comes  most  natural  to  me." 

"  Keep  it  then ;  but  remember  thou  dash  it  not  about 
according  to  thy  custom,  nor  bellow,  nor  shout,  nor  cry 
as  in  a  battle-field ;  think  of  the  sacred  character  of  the 
place,  which  exaggerates  riot  into  blasphemy,  and  re- 
member the  persons  whom  thou  mayst  chance  to  see,  an 
offence  to  some  of  whom,  it  may  be,  ranks  in  the  same 
sense  with  blasphemy  against  Heaven  itself." 

This  lectui'e  carried  the  tutor  and  the  pupil  so  far  as  to 
the  side-door,  and  thence  inducted  them  into  a  species  of 
anteroom,  from  which  Achilles  led  his  Varangian  forward, 
until  a  pair  of  folding-doors,  opening  into  what  proved  to 
be  a  principal  apartment  of  the  palace,  exhibited  to  the 


90  WAVKKI.KY    NOVKI.S. 

roiifili-licwn  native  of  tin'  iiortli  a  si^rlit  i'(iii;illy  new  and 
surprising. 

It  was  an  apartment  of  the  palaee  of  tlieBhupiernal, 
dedioatetl  to  the  special  service  of  the  beloved  daughter 
of  the  Emperor  Alexius,  the  Princess  Anna  Comnensi, 
known  to  our  times  by  her  literary  talents,  which  record 
the  history  of  her  father's  reign.  She  was  seated,  the 
queen  and  sovereign  of  a  literary  circle,  such  as  an  im- 
perial Princess,  jjorpliyrogenita,  or  born  in  the  sacred 
purple  chamber  itself,  coidd  assemble  in  those  days,  and 
a  glance  round  will  enable  u>  to  form  an  idea  of  her 
guests  or  companions. 

The  literary  Princess  hersrlf  had  the  bright  eyes, 
straight  features,  and  comi-ly  and  pleasing  manner^*, 
which  all  would  have  allowed  to  the  Emperor's  daugh- 
ter, even  if  she  coiilil  iml  have  been,  with  severe  truth, 
said  to  have  jjossesscd  them.  She  was  placed  upon  a 
small  bench,  or  sofa,  the  fair  sex  here  not  being  permitted 
to  recline,  as  was  the  fashion  of  the  Roman  ladies.  A 
Uible  betbre  her  was  loaded  with  books,  plants,  herbs, 
and  drawings.  She  sat  on  a  slight  elevation,  and  those 
who  enjoyed  the  intimacy  of  tin'  Princess,  or  to  whom 
she  wisliecl  to  speak  in  parlicidar,  were  allowed,  duritig 
such  .sublime  collotpiy,  to  rest  their  knees  on  the  little 
dais,  or  elevated  place  where  her  chair  found  its  station, 
in  a  i)osture  half  standing,  lialf  kneehng.  Three  other 
seats,  of  diflcrent  heights,  were  placed  on  the  dais,  and 
under  the  same  canopy  of  stale  whidi  over-badnweil  that 
of  the  Princess  Anna. 

The  first,  which  >lrielly  re-enibjed  her  own  chair  in 
size  and  conv(;nieiice,  was  out-  designed  Ibr  her  hu>band, 
Nicejdiorus  lirieimius.  He  was  said  to  entertain  or 
aft'ect  the  greatest  respect  lor   hi-  witi'-  eindilion,  though 


COUNT    ROHKHT    OF    PARIS.  91 

the  courtiers  were  of"  opinion  he  would  have  liked  to 
ahsent  himself  from  her  evening  parties  more  frequently 
than  was  particularly  agreeable  to  the  Princess  Anna 
and  her  imperial  j)arents.  This  was  partly  explained  by 
the  private  tattle  of  the  court,  which  averred,  that  the 
Princess  Anna  Comnena  had  been  more  beautiful  when 
she  was  less  leax'ned  ;  and  that,  though  still  a  tine  woman, 
she  had  somewhat  lost  the  charms  of  her  person  as  she 
became  enriched  in  her  mind. 

To  atone  for  the  lowly  fashion  of  the  seat  of  Nicepho- 
rus  Briennius,  it  was  placed  as  near  to  his  princess  as  it 
could  possibly  be  edged  by  the  ushers,  so  that  she  might 
not  lose  one  look  of  her  handsome  spouse,  nor  he  the 
least  particle  of  wisdom  which  might  drop  from  the  lips 
of  his  erudite  consort. 

Two  other  seats  of  honour,  or  rather  thrones, — for 
they  had  footstools  placed  for  the  support  of  the  feet,  rests 
for  the  arms,  and  embroidered  pillows  for  the  comfort  of 
the  back,  not  to  mention  the  glories  of  the  outspreading 
canopy, — were  destined  for  the  imperial  couple,  who  fre- 
quently attended  their  daughter's  studies,  which  she  pros- 
ecuted in  pubhc  in  the  way  we  have  intimated.  On  such 
occasions,  the  Empress  Irene  enjoyed  the  triumph  pecu- 
liar to  the  mother  of  an  accomplished  daughter,  while 
Alexius,  as  it  might  happen,  sometimes  listened  with  com- 
placence to  the  rehearsal  of  his  own  exploits  in  the  in- 
tlated  language  of  the  Princess,  and  sometimes  mildly 
nodded  over  her  dialogues  upon  the  mysteries  of  philos- 
ophy, with  the  Patriarch  Zosimus,  and  other  sages. 

All  these  four  distinguished  seats  for  the  persons  of  the 
Imperial  family,  were  occupied  at  the  moment  which  we 
have  described,  excepting  that  which  ought  to  have  been 
filled  by  Nicephorus  Briennius,  the  husband  of  the  fair 


92  WAVKKI.KY    NOVELS. 


jjorliaps  owing  the  «ingry  spot  on  the  hrow  of  his  fair 
l)ri(lt'.  Beside  her  on  the  phitforni  were  two  wliitc-iohed 
nvmplis  of  lier  household  ;  female  slaves,  in  a  word,  who 
reposed  themselves  on  their  knees  on  cushions,  when  their 
assistance  was  not  wanted  as  a  species  of  living  book- 
desks,  to  support  and  extend  the  parchment  rolls,  in 
which  the  Princess  recorded  her  own  wisdom,  or  from 
which  she  quoted  that  of  others.  One  of  these  young 
maidens,  called  Astarte,  was  so  distinguished  as  a  cali- 
grapher,  or  beautiful  writer  of  various  alphabets  and  lan- 
guages, that  she  narrowly  escaped  being  sent  as  a  present 
to  the  Caliph,  (who  could  neither  read  nor  write.)  at  a 
time  when  it  was  necessary  to  brilx'  him  into  peace. 
Violante,  usually  called  the  Muse,  the  otlier  attendant  of 
the  Princess,  a  mistress  of  the  vocal  and  instrumental  art 
of  music,  was  actually  sent  in  a  compliment  to  soothe 
the  temper  of  Robert  Guiscard,  the  Archduke  of  Apulia, 
■who  beinsr  ajred  and  stone-deaf,  and  the  girl  under  ten 
years  old  at  the  time,  returned  the  valued  present  to  the 
im[>erial  donor,  and,  with  the  selfishness  which  was  one 
of  that  wily  Norman's  characteristics,  desired  to  have 
some  one  sent  him  who  could  contribute  to  his  pleasure, 
instead  of  a  twangling  squalling  infant. 

Beneath  these  elevated  seats  there  sat,  or  rejioscd  on 
th<'  floor  of  the  hall,  such  favourites  as  were  admitted. 
The  Patriarch  Zosimus,  and  one  or  two  oM  men,  were 
permitted  the  use  of  certain  lowly  stools,  which  were  the 
only  seats  prepared  for  the  learned  members  of  the  Prin- 
cess's evening  parties,  as  they  would  have  been  called  in 
our  days.  As  for  the  younger  magnates,  the  honour 
of  being  permitted  to  jfiin  the  im|)erial  (•«)nversation  wa> 
expected  to  render  them  far  superior  to  the  paltry  accom- 


COUNT  ROBERT  OK  PARIS.  93 

modation  of  a  joint-stool.  Five  or  six  courtiers,  of  differ- 
ent dress  and  ages,  might  compose  the  party,  who  either 
stood,  or  relieved  their  posture  by  kneeling,  along  the 
vei'ge  of  an  adorned  fountain,  which  shed  a  mist  of  such 
very  small  rain  as  to  dispel  almost  insensibly,  cooling  the 
fragrant  breeze  which  breathed  from  the  flowers  and 
shrubs,  that  were  so  disposed  as  to  send  a  waste  of  sweets 
around.  One  goodly  old  man,  named  Michael  Agelastes, 
big,  burly,  and  dressed  Uke  an  ancient  Cynic  philosopher, 
was  distinguished  by  assuming,  in  a  great  measure,  the 
ragged  gai'b  and  mad  bearing  of  that  sect,  and  by  his 
inflexible  practice  of  the  strictest  cei'emonies  exigible  by 
the  Imperial  family.  He  was  known  by  an  affectation 
of  cynical  principle  and  language,  and  of  republican  phi- 
losophy, strangely  contradicted  by  his  practical  deference 
to  the  great.  It  was  Avonderful  how  long  this  man,  now 
sixty  years  old  and  upwards,  disdained  to  avail  himself 
of  the  accustomed  privilege  of  leaning,  or  supporting  his 
limbs,  and  with  what  regularity  he  maintained  either  the 
standing  posture  or  that  of  absolute  kneeling;  but  the 
first  was  so  much  his  usual  attitude,  that  he  acquired 
among  his  court  friends  the  name  of  Elephas,  or  the  Ele- 
phant, because  the  ancients  had  an  idea  that  the  half- 
reasoning  animal,  as  it  is  called,  has  joints  incapable  of 
kneeling  down. 

"  Yet  I  have  seen  them  kneel  when  I  was  in  the  coun- 
try of  the  Gyranosophists,"  said  a  person  present  on  the 
evening  of  Hereward's  introduction. 

"  To  take  up  their  master  on  their  shoulders  ?  so  will 
ours,"  said  the  Patriarch  Zosimus,  with  the  slight  sneer 
which  Avas  the  nearest  advance  to  a  sarcasm  that  the  eti- 
quette of  the  Greek  court  permitted  ;  for  on  all  ordinary 
occasions,  it  would  not  have  offended  the  Presence  more 


94  WAVI.K1  KY    NitVKLS. 

surely,  literally  to  luivc  drawn  a  jjonianl.  tiiaii  to  ex- 
change a  repartee  in  the  imperial  cirele.  Kveii  the 
sarcasm,  such  ns  it  was,  would  have  been  thought  cen- 
sui-able  hy  thai  ceremonious  court  in  any  but  th<^  Patri- 
arch, to  whose  high  rank  some  license  was  allowed. 

Just  as  he  ha<l  thus  far  offended  (h'coruiu,  Achilles 
Tatius,  and  his  soldier  Ilcreward,  entered  the  apartment. 
The  former  bore  him  with  even  more  than  liis  u>ual  de- 
gree of  courtliness,  as  it'  to  set  his  own  good-breeding  off 
by  a  comparison  with  the  inexpert  bearing  oi'  his  follower ; 
while,  nevertheless,  he  had  a  secret  pride  in  exhibiting,  as 
one  under  his  own  immediate  and  distinct  command,  a 
man  whom  he  was  accustomed  to  consider  as  one  of  the 
finest  soldiers  in  the  army  of  Alexius,  whether  appear- 
ance or  reality  were  to  be  considered. 

Some  astonishment  followed  the  abrupt  entrance  of  the 
new  comers.  Achilles  indeed  glided  into  the  presence 
with  the  easy  ami  quiet  extremity  of  respi-ct  which  inti- 
mated his  habituile  in  these  regions.  l>iit  llrrcwanl 
started  on  his  entrance,  and  pcirceiving  himself  in  com- 
pany of  the  court,  hastily  strove  to  remedy  his  disorder. 
His  commander,  throwing  round  a  scarce  visible  shrug  of 
apolog}',  made  then  a  confidential  and  monitory  sign  to 
Hereward  to  mind  his  conduct.  What  he  meant  was, 
that  he  should  doff  his  helmet  and  fall  prostrate  on  the 
ground.  But  the  Anglo-Saxon,  unaceustomed  to  inter- 
pret obscure  inferences,  naturally  thought  of  his  military 
duties,  ami  aflvani-t-d  in  front  of  the  Emperor,  as  when  he 
rendered  his  military  liuinagf.  He  made  reverence  with 
his  knee,  hall'  toiichid   iiis  cap.  and  liicn   recovering  and 

shouldering   his    axe,   stoo<l   in   advai of  tin-   iiM|)crial 

chaii",  as  if  on  duty  as  a  sentinel. 

A  geiUle   smile   of  >iirpri>i'    went    roini'l    tiie   circle   as 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  95 

iLty  gazed  on  the  manly  appearance,  and  somewhat  un- 
ceremonious but  martial  deportment  of  the  northern 
soldier.  The  various  spectators  around  consulted  the 
Emperor's  face,  not  knowing  whether  they  were  to  take 
the  inti'usive  manner  of  the  Vai'angian's  entrance  as  mat- 
ter of  ill-breeding,  and  manifest  their  horror,  or  whether 
they  ought  rather  to  consider  the  bearing  of  the  life- 
guardsman  as  indicating  blunt  and  manly  zeal,  and  there- 
fore to  be  received  with  applause. 

It  was  some  little  time  ere  the  Emperor  recovered  him- 
self sufficiently  to  strike  a  key-note,  as  was  usual  upon 
such  occasions.  Alexius  Comnenus  had  been  wrapt  for 
a  moment  into  some  species  of  slumber,  or  at  least  ab- 
sence of  mind.  Out  of  this  he  had  been  startled  by  the 
sudden  appearance  of  the  Varangian ;  for  though  he  was 
accustomed  to  commit  the  outer  guards  of  the  palace  to 
this  trusty  corps,  yet  the  deformed  blacks  whom  we  have 
mentioned,  and  who  sometimes  rose  to  be  ministers  of 
state  and  commanders  of  armies,  were,  on  all  ordinary 
occasions,  intrusted  with  the  guard  of  the  interior  of  the 
palace.  Alexius,  therefore,  awakened  from  his  slumber, 
and  the  military  phrase  of  his  daughter  still  ringing  in 
his  ears  as  she  was  reading  a  description  of  the  great  his- 
torical work,  in  which  she  had  detailed  the  conflicts  of  his 
reign,  felt  somewhat  unprepared  for  the  entrance  and 
military  deportment  of  one  of  the  Saxon  guard,  with 
whom  he  was  accustomed  to  associate,  in  general,  scenes 
of  blows,  danger,  and  death. 

After  a  troubled  glance  around,  his  look  rested  on 
Achilles  Tatius.  "  Why  here,"  he  said,  "  trusty  Fol- 
lower ?  why  this  soldier  here  at  this  time  of  night  ? " 
Here,  of  course,  was  the  moment  for  modelling  the  vis- 
ages regis  ad  exemplum ;   but,  ere  the  Patriarch  could 


96 


\\  .vvi;i:i,i;v   .\ovi;i,> 


tVaine  liis  cuimti'iiaiicc  into  devout  approlu-nsion  of  dan- 
ger, Achilles  Tatiiis  had  spoken  a  word  or  two.  which 
reniiiidrd  Alcxius's  nu-niory  that  the  soldier  had  been 
brought  there  by  his  own  special  orders.  "  Oh,  ay  !  true, 
good  fellow,"  said  he,  smoothing  his  troubled  brow  ;  "we 
had  forf^ot  that  passage  among  the  cares  of  state."  He 
then  sj)oke  to  the  Varangian  with  a  countenance  more 
frank,  and  a  heartier  accent  than  h<'  used  to  his  courtiei's; 
for,  to  a  despotic  monarch,  a  tiiithfid  life-guardsman  is  a 
person  of  confidence,  while  an  officer  of  higli  rank  is 
always  in  some  degree  a  subject  of  distrust.  ''  Ha ! " 
said  he,  "  our  worthy  Anglo-Dane,  liow  fares  he  ?  " — 
This  unceremonious  salutation  surprised  all  but  him  to 
whom  it  was  addressed.  Hereward  answered,  accompa- 
nying his  words  with  a  military  obeisance  which  partook 
of  heartiness  rather  than  reverence,  with  a  loud  unsub- 
dued voice,  which  startled  the  presence  still  more  that  the 
language  was  Saxon,  which  these  foreigners  occasionally 
used,  '*  Woes  hael  Kaisar  ntirn)/  nn<l  maclitigh  !  " — that 
is,  Be  of  good  health,  stout  and  migiity  Emix-ror.  The 
Emperor,  with  a  smile  of  intellig(;nce,  to  show  he  could 
speak  to  his  guards  in  their  own  foreign  language,  n'plied, 
by  the  well-known  counter-signal — ''  Drink  had  !  " 

Inmiediately  a  page  brought  a  silver  gobhft  of  wine. 
The  Km[)eror  put  his  lips  to  it,  though  he  scarce  tasted 
the  li<iuor,  then  commamled  it  to  be  handed  to  Hereward, 
and  bade  the  soldier  drink.  The  Saxon  did  not  wail  till 
he  was  desired  a  second  time,  but  took  ofi"  tlie  contents 
without  hesitation.  A  gentle  smile,  decorous  as  the  pres- 
ence requind.  pa-;sed  over  the  assembly,  at  a  feat  wliieh, 
though  by  no  means  wonderful  in  a  hvperliorean,  Mt-ined 
prodigious  in  the  estimation  of  tin-  modi  rate  (ireeks. 
Alexins   himself  lau^heil   mon-   loudly  than   bis   courtiers 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  97 

thought  might  be  bocoming  on  their  part,  and  mustering 
what  few  words  of  Varangian  he  possessed,  which  he 
eked  out  with  Greek,  demanded  of  his  life-guardsman — 
"  Well,  my  bold  Briton,  or  Edward,  as  men  call  thee, 
dost  thou  know  the  flavour  of  that  wine  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  answei'ed  the  Varangian,  without  change  of 
countenance,  "  I  tasted  it  once  before  at  Laodicea  " 

Here  his  officer,  Achilles  Tatius,  became  sensible  that 
his  soldier  approached  delicate  ground,  and  in  vain  en- 
deavoured to  gain  his  attention,  in  order  that  he  might 
furtively  convey  to  him  a  hint  to  be  silent,  or  at  least 
take  heed  what  he  said  in  such  a  presence.  But  the  sol- 
dier, who,  with  proper  military  observance,  continued  to 
have  his  eye  and  attention  fixed  on  the  Emperor,  as  the 
prince  whom  he  was  bound  to  answer  or  to  serve,  saw 
none  of  the  hints,  which  Achilles  at  length  suffered  to 
become  so  broad,  that  Zosimus  and  the  Protospathaire 
exchanged  expressive  glances,  as  calling  on  each  other  to 
notice  the  by-play  of  the  leader  of  the  Varangians. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  dialogue  between  the  Emperor 
and  his  soldier  continued : — "  How,"  said  Alexius,  "  did 
this  draught  relish  compared  with  the  former  ?  " 

"  There  is  fairer  company  here,  my  liege,  than  that  of 
the  Arabian  archers,"  answered  Hereward,  with  a  look 
and  bow  of  instinctive  good-breeding ;  "  Nevertheless, 
there  lacks  the  flavour  which  the  heat  of  the  sun,  the 
dust  of  the  combat,  with  the  fatigue  of  wielding  such  a 
weapon  as  this  "  (advancing  his  axe)  "  for  eight  hours 
together,  give  to  a  cup  of  rare  wine." 

"Another  deficiency  there  might  be,"  said  Agelastes 
the  Elephant,  "  provided  I  am  pardoned  hinting  at  it,"  he 
added,  with  a  l(X)k  to  the  throne, — ''  it  might  be  the 
smaller  size  of  the  cup  compared  with  that  at  Laodicea." 

VOL.   XLVH.  7 


98  WAVKKI.KY    NOVKI.S. 

''  By  Taranis,  you  say  true,"  answered  tlic  lit'c-^rnanls- 
inaii  ;  "at  Laodioojv  I  nsod  my  liclinct."' 

'•  Let  lis  see  the  cups  eonipared  together,  jjood  friend," 
said  Agehistes.  eontimiing  liis  raillery,  "that  we  niav  he 
sure  thou  hast  not  swalloweil  the  present  goblet  ;  tor  T 
thought,  from  the  manner  of  the  draught,  there  was  a 
chanee  of  its  going  down  with  its  contents." 

"There  are  some  things  wliich  1  do  not  easily  Bwal- 
low,"  answered  the  Varangian,  in  a  calm  and  indifferent 
tone ;  "  but  they  must  come  from  a  younger  and  more 
active  man  than  you." 

The  company  again  smiled  to  each  other,  as  if  to  hint 
that  the  j)iiilosopher,  though  also  parcel  wit  by  profession, 
had  the  worst  of  the  encounter. 

The  Emperor  at  the  same  time  interfered — ''Nor  did  I 
send  for  thee  hither,  good  fellow,  to  be  baited  by  idle 
taunts." 

Here  Agelastes  slinuik  bai'k  in  tlie  circle,  as  a  hound 
that  has  l)een  rebuked  bv  tlie  liunt-nian  for  babbling — 
and  the  I'rincess  Anna  Comnena,  who  had  indicated  by 
her  fair  features  a  certain  degree  of  impatience,  at  length 
spoke — "^Vill  il  ihen  |ilca--r  \uii.  niv  inipci'iai  and  iniich- 
boloved  father,  to  inform  tlio^e  blessed  with  admission  to 
the  Muses'  temjde,  for  what  it  is  that  you  have  ordered 
this  soldier  to  be  this  night  admitted  to  a  place  so  far 
above  liis  rank  in  life  ?  Permit  ine  to  say,  we  ouglit  not 
to  waste,  in  frivolous  ami  sillv  jc-ts,  the  time  wliicli  is 
sacrctl  to  the  welfare  of  the  empire,  as  every  nioiiient  of 
your  leisure  nuist  be." 

"  Our  daughter  speaks  wisely,"  said  the  Empress  Irene, 
who,  like  most  mothers  who  do  not  possess  much  talent 
themselves,  and  are  not  very  <'apable  of  estimating  it  in 
others,  wa-.  nevertheles.'',  a  great  aihniier  of  her  favourite 


COUNT    UOIUCKT    OP    I'AHIS.  99 

daughter's  accomplishments,  and  ready  to  draw  them  out 
on  all  occasions.  "  Permit  me  to  remark,  that  in  this 
divine  and  selected  palace  of  the  Muses,  dedicated  to  the 
studies  of  our  Avell-beloved  and  highly-gifted  daughter, 
whose  pen  will  preserve  your  reputation,  our  most  im- 
perial husband,  till  the  desolation  of  the  universe,  and 
which  enlivens  and  delights  this  society,  the  very  flower 
of  the  wits  of  our  sublime  court ; — permit  me  to  say,  that 
we  have,  merely  by  admitting  a  single  life-guardsman, 
given  our  conversation  the  character  of  that  which  dis- 
tinguishes a  barrack." 

Now  the  Emperor  Alexius  Comnenus  had  the  same 
feeling  with  many  an  honest  man  in  ordinary  life  when 
his  wife  begins  a  long  oration,  especially  as  the  Empress 
Irene  did  not  always  retain  the  observance  consistent 
with  his  awful  rule  and  right  supremacy,  although  espe- 
cially severe  in  exacting  it  from  all  others,  in  reference 
to  her  lord.  Therefore,  though  he  had  felt  some  pleasure 
in  gaining  a  short  release  from  the  monotonous  recitation 
of  the  Princess's  history,  he  now  saw  the  necessity  of  re- 
suming it,  or  of  listening  to  the  mati-imonial  eloquence  of 
the  Empress.  He  sighed,  therefore,  as  he  said,  "  I  crave 
your  pardon,  good  our  imperial  spouse,  and  our  daughter 
born  in  the  purple  chamber.  I  remember  me,  our  most 
amiable  and  accomplished  daughter,  that  last  night  you 
wished  to  know  the  particulars  of  the  battle  of  Laodicea, 
with  the  heathenish  Arabs,  whom  Heaven  confound. 
And  for  certain  considerations  which  moved  ourselves  to 
add  other  inquiries  to  our  own  recollection,  Achilles 
Tatius,  our  most  trusty  Follower,  was  commissioned  to 
introduce  into  this  place  one  of  those  soldiers  under  his 
command,  being  such  a  one  whose  courage  and  presence 
of  mind  could  best  enable  him  to   remark  what  passed 


100  "VVAVr.KI.KV     NOVKI.ri. 

around  liiin  on  that  reniarkiiblc  and  bloctdy  day.  And 
this  I  suppose;  to  be  the  niaii  brought  to  us  for  tliat  pur- 
pose," 

"  If  I  am  porniittc'd  to  speak,  and  live,"  answered  the 
Follower,  "your  Imperial  Ilijrhness,  with  those  divine 
Princesses,  whose  name  is  to  us  as  those  of  blessed  saints, 
have  in  your  presence  the  flower  of  my  Anglo-Danes,  or 
whatsoever  unbaptized  name  is  given  to  my  soldiers.  He 
is.  as  I  may  say,  a  barbarian  of  barbarians  ;  for,  although 
in  birth  and  breeding  until  to  soil  with  his  feet  th<'  carpet 
of  this  precinct  of  accomplishment  and  eloquence,  In.'  is  so 
brave — so  trusty — so  devotedly  attiahcd — and  -o  iiiilie>i- 
tatiugly  zealous,  that " 

"  Enough,  good  Follower,"  said  the  Knipcror;  "let  us 
only  know  that  he  is  cool  and  observant,  not  confused  and 
fluttered  during  close  battle,  as  we  have  sometimes  ob- 
served in  you  and  other  great  connnanders — and,  to  speak 
truth,  have  «;ven  felt  in  our  imperial  self  on  extraordinary 
occasions.  Which  diflerence  in  man's  constitution  is  not 
owing  to  any  inferioi-ily  of  courage,  but,  in  us,  to  a  certain 
consciousness  oi'  the  importance  of  our  own  safety  to  the 
welfare  of  the  whole,  and  to  a  feeling  of  the  number  of 
duties  wiiieh  at  once  devolve  on  us.  Speak  tlien,  and 
speak  tpiickly,  Tatius ;  for  I  discern  thai  our  diarest 
conxirt,  and  our  llirice  tiirliiiiali'  dautrlitrr  txirii  in  the 
ijn]>erial  chamber  of  j)urple,  .^cfui  to  wax  .-<»iu(\vliat  im- 
patient." 

•' II(  icwanl."  answered  Tatius,  "is  as  comjKJsed  and 
obser\ant  in  Itattle.  jis  another  in  a  festiv<;  dance.  The 
du.-t  of  war  is  the,  breath  of  his  nostrils;  and  lie  will 
|)rove  his  worth  in  combat  against  any  four  others,  (Va- 
rangians excepted,)  who  shall  term  themselves  your  Im- 
perial Ilighness's  bravest  servant^}." 


COUNT    liOHEUT    OF    PARIS.  101 

'•  Follower,"  said  the  Emperor,  with  a  displeased  look 
and  tone,  "  instead  of  instructing  these  poor,  ignorant 
barbarians,  in  the  rules  and  civilisation  of  our  enlightened 
empire,  you  foster,  by  such  boastful  words,  the  idle  pride 
and  fury  of  their  temper,  which  hurries  them  into  brawls 
with  the  legions  of  other  foreign  countries,  and  even 
breeds  quarrels  among  themselves." 

"  If  my  mouth  may  be  opened  in  the  way  of  most 
humble  excuse,"  said  the  Follower,  "  I  would  presume  to 
reply,  that  I  but  an  hour  hence  talked  with  this  poor 
ignorant  Anglo-Dane,  on  the  paternal  care  with  which 
the  Imperial  Majesty  of  Greece  regards  the  preservation 
of  that  concord  which  unites  the  followers  of  his  standard, 
and  how  desirous  he  is  to  promote  that  harmony,  more 
especially  amongst  the  various  nations  who  have  the  hap- 
piness to  serve  you,  in  spite  of  the  bloodthirsty  quarrels 
of  the  Franks,  and  other  northern  men,  who  are  never 
free  from  civil  broil.  I  think  the  poor  youth's  under- 
standing can  bear  w^itness  to  this  much  in  my  behalf." 
He  then  looked  towards  Hereward,  who  gravely  inclined 
his  head  in  token  of  assent  to  what  his  captain  said.  His 
excuse  thus  ratified,  Achilles  proceeded  in  his  apology 
more  firmly.  "  What  I  have  said  even  now  was  spoken 
without  consideration ;  for,  instead  of  pretending  that  this 
Hereward  would  face  four  of  your  Imperial  Highness's 
servants,  I  ought  to  have  said,  that  he  was  willing  to 
defy  six  of  your  Imperial  Majesty's  most  deadly  enemies, 
and  permit  them  to  choose  every  circumstance  of  time, 
arms,  and  place  of  combat." 

"  That  hath  a  better  sound."  said  the  Emperor  ;  "  and 
in  truth,  for  the  information  of  my  dearest  daughter,  who 
piously  has  undertaken  to  record  the  things  which  I  have 
been  the  blessed  means  of  doing  for  the  Empire,  I  earn- 


102  WAVI.Itl.KV    NOVKLS. 

estly  wi.sli  lliul  she  slioulcl  n.ineiubcr,  tliat  lliougli  the 
sword  of  Alexius  hath  not  slept  in  its  sheath,  yet  he  hath 
never  soiij^ht  his  own  a;Lrgi';ui(lizeincnt  of  fain*-  at  the 
price  of"  bloodshed  among  liis  siilijri-ts." 

"I  trust,"  said  Anna  Conincna,  "  that  in  my  luinihle 
sketch  of  the  life  of  the  princely  sire  from  whom  I  derive 
my  existence,  I  hiwi-  not  forgot  to  notice  his  love  of 
peace,  and  care  for  the  lives  of  his  soldiery,  and  ahiior- 
rence  of  the  bloody  manners  of  the  heretic  Franks,  as 
one  of  his  most  distinguishing  characteristics." 

Assuming  then  an  attitude  more  commanding,  as  one 
who  was  about  to  claim  the  attention  of  the  com[)any,  the 
Princess  inclined  her  head  gently  around  to  the  audience, 
and  taking  a  roll  of  ])archm('nf  from  the  fair  amanuensis, 
which  >iie  had,  in  a  most  beautiful  handwriting,  et)grossed 
to  her  mistress's  dictation,  Anna  Comnena  prepared  to 
read  its  contents. 

At  this  moment,  the  eyes  of  the  Princess  rested  for  an 
instant  on  the  barbarian  Hereward,  to  whom  she  deigned 
this  greeting — "  Valiant  barbarian,  of  whom  my  fancy 
recalls  some  memory,  tis  if  in  a  dream,  thou  art  now  to 
hear  a  work,  which,  if  the  author  be  put  into  comparison 
with  the  subject,  might  be  likened  to  a  portrait  of  Alex- 
ander, in  executing  which,  some  inferior  dauber  has 
usin-ped  the  pencil  of  Apelles ;  but  which  essay,  how- 
ever it  may  api)ear  unworthy  of  the  subject  in  the  eyes 
of  many,  nuist  yet  command  some  envy  in  those  who 
candidly  consider  its  contents,  and  the  difficulty  of  por- 
traying the  great  |)ersor)age  con(;erning  wlioin  it  is  writ- 
ten. Still,  I  play  thee,  give  thine  atte-iition  l<>  what  I 
have  now  to  read,  since  this  account  of  tiic  ballh-  of 
Laodicea,  the  details  thereof  being  principally  derived 
f'niui    hi-    liiipirial    Highness,  my    excellent    fallici-.    trom 


COUNT    K0BP:RT    of   PARIS.  103 

the  alto<2;ether  valiant  Protospathaire,  his  invincible  gen- 
eral, together  with  Achilles  Tatius,  the  faithful  Follower 
of  our  victorious  Emperor,  may  nevertheless  be  in  some 
circumstances  inaccurate.  For  it  is  to  be  thought,  that 
the  high  offices  of  those  great  commanders  retained  them 
at  a  distance  from  some  particularly  active  parts  of  the 
fray,  in  order  that  they  might  have  more  cool  and  accu- 
rate opportunity  to  form  a  judgment  upon  the  whole,  and 
transmit  their  orders,  without  being  disturbed  by  any 
thoughts  of  personal  safety.  Even  so,  brave  barbarian, 
in  the  art  of  embroidery,  (marvel  not  that  we  are  a 
proficient  in  that  mechanical  process,  since  it  is  patron- 
ized by  Minerva,  whose  studies  we  affect  to  follow,)  we 
reserve  to  ourselves  the  superintendence  of  the  entire 
web,  and  commit  to  our  maidens  and  others  the  execu- 
tion of  particular  parts.  Thus,  in  the  same  manner,  thou, 
valiant  Varangian,  being  engaged  in  the  very  thickest  of 
the  affray  before  Laodicea,  mayst  point  out  to  us,  the  un- 
worthy historian  of  so  renowned  a  war,  those  chances 
which  befell  where  men  fought  hand  to  hand,  and  where, 
the  fate  of  war  was  decided  by  the  edge  of  the  sword. 
Therefore,  dread  not,  thou  bravest  of  the  axe-men  to 
whom  we  owe  that  victory,  and  so  many  others,  to  cor- 
rect any  mistake  or  misapprehension  which  we  may  have 
been  led  into  concerning  the  details  of  that  glorious 
event." 

"  Madam,"  said  tlie  Varangian,  "  I  shall  attend  with 
diligence  to  what  your  Highness  may  be  pleased  to  read 
to  me  ;  although,  as  to  presuming  to  blame  the  history 
of  a  Princess  born  in  the  purple,  far  be  such  a  presump- 
tion from  me  ;  still  less  would  it  become  a  barbaric  Varan- 
gian to  pass  a  judgment  on  the  military  conduct  of  the 
Emperor,  by  whom  he  is  liberally  paid,  or  of  the  com- 


10  1  W  \\  i;WI.KV     NOVKI.S. 

inaiidcr,  I)V  ulmiii  lie  i^  well  tr<'al<Ml.  rxfinT  an  action, 
if  our  advice  is  ii([iiin'(l,  it  is  ever  faillifiilly  tendered; 
but  accDidin^  to  my  rough  wit,  our  censure  after  tlic  field 
is  fought  would  be  more  invidious  than  usefid.  Touching 
the  Protospathairc.  it'  it  In-  the  ihity  of  a  general  to  ab- 
sent himself  from  close  action,  I  can  safely  say,  or  swear, 
were  it  necessary,  that  the  invincible  commander  was 
never  seen  bv  me  witiiin  a  javelin's  cast  of  aught  that 
looked  like  dang<'r." 

This  speecli,  boldiv  and  lihiutly  delivered,  had  a  gen- 
eral effect  on  the  company  present.  The  Emperor  him- 
self, and  Achilles  Tatius,  looked  like  men  who  had  got 
off  from  a  danger  better  than  they  expected.  The  Pro- 
tospathairc laboured  to  conceal  a  movement  of  resent- 
ment. Agelastes  whispered  to  the  Patriarch,  near  whom 
he  was  placed,  "The  northern  battle-axe  lacks  neither 
point  nor  edge." 

"Hush!"  said  Zo-inni>,  "let  ns  hear  how  this  is  to 
end  ;  the  Princess  is  altout  to  sjieak." 


COUNT  ROBKHT  OF  PAKIS.  105 


CHAPTER  IV. 

We  heard  the  Tecbir,  so  these  Arabs  call 
Their  shout  of  onset,  when  with  loud  acclaim 
They  challenged  Heaven,  as  if  demanding  conquest. 
The  battle  join'd,  and  through  the  barb'rous  herd, 
Fight,  fight  1  and  Paradise !  was  all  their  cry. 

The  Siege  op  Damascus. 

The  voice  of  the  northern  soldier,  although  modified 
by  feelings  of  respect  to  the  Emperor,  and  even  attach- 
ment to  his  captain,  had  more  of  a  tone  of  blunt  sincerity, 
nevertheless,  than  was  usually  heard  by  the  sacred  echoes 
of  the  imperial  palace ;  and  though  the  Princess  Anna 
Comnena  began  to  think  that  she  had  invoked  the  opin- 
ion of  a  severe  judge,  she  was  sensible,  at  the  same  time, 
by  the  deference  of  his  manner,  that  his  respect  was  of  a 
character  more  real,  and  his  applause,  should  she  gain  it, 
would  prove  more  truly  flattering,  than  the  gilded  assent 
of  the  whole  court  of  her  father.  She  gazed  with  some 
surprise  and  attention  on  Hereward,  already  described  as 
a  very  handsome  young  man,  and  felt  the  natural  desire 
to  please,  which  is  easily  created  in  the  mind  towards  a 
fine  person  of  the  other  sex.  His  attitude  was  easy  and 
bold,  but  neither  clownish  nor  uncourtly.  His  title  of  a 
barbarian,  placed  him  at  once  free  from  the  forms  of 
civilized  life,  and  the  rules  of  artificial  politeness.  But 
his  character  for  valour,  and  the  noble  self-confidence  of 


lOG  w.wr.Ki.r.Y  novels. 

his  Ijciirin^,  pavo  liim  a  deoper  iiitcrost  tliaii  would  have 
been  acujuired  by  a  more  .studied  and  anxious  address,  or 
an  excess  of  reverential  awe. 

In  short,  the  Princess  Anna  Coninena,  liigb  in  rank  a3 
she  was,  and  born  in  the  imperial  purple,  which  she  her- 
self deemed  the  first  of  all  attributes,  felt  herself,  nev- 
ertheless, in  preparing  to  resume  the  recitation  of  her 
history,  more  anxious  to  obtain  the  apj)robation  of  this 
rude  soldier,  than  that  of  all  (ho  rest  of  the  courteous 
audience.  She  knew  them  w<'ll,  it  is  true,  and  felt  no- 
wise solicitous  about  the  ai)j)laiise  which  the  dautrliter  of 
the  Emperor  was  sure  to  rcci'ive  with  full  hands  from 
those  of  the  Grecian  court  to  whom  she  might  choose  to 
communicate  the  productions  of  her  father's  daughter. 
But  she  had  now  a  judge  of  a  new  character,  whose  ap- 
plause, if  bestowed,  must  have  something  in  it  intrin- 
sically real,  since  it  could  only  be  obtained  by  affecting 
his  head  or  his  heart. 

It  was  perhaps  under  tiic  intlueiice  of  these  feelings, 
that  the  Princess  was  somewhat  longer  than  usual  in 
finding  out  the  passage  in  the  roll  of  history  at  which  she 
puqjosed  to  commence.  It  was  also  noticiil  that  she 
began  her  recitation  with  a  diifidence  and  embarrassment 
surpri.-ing  to  the  noi)le  hearers,  who  had  often  seen  her  in 
full  possession  of  her  presence  of  mind  before  what  they 
conceived  a  more  distinguished,  and  even  more  critical 
audience. 

Neither  were  the  circinnstances  of  the  Varangian  such 
as  rendered  the  scene  indifferent  to  him.  Ainia  ("oinnena 
had  indeed  attained  her  fiCtii  bi-tre,  and  that  i-  a  period 
after  which  (Jrecian  beauty  is  understood  to  conunence  its 
decline.  How  long  >he  had  passed  that  critical  period, 
was  a  .secret   to  all   l)Ut    the   tru-le<l   ward-women  of   the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  107 

purple  chamber.  Enoiigli,  th.at  it  was  affirmed  by  the 
popular  tongue,  and  seemed  to  be  attested  by  that  bent 
towards  philosophy  and  literature,  which  is  not  supposed 
to  be  congenial  to  beauty  in  its  earlier  buds,  to  amount  to 
one  or  two  years  more.     She  might  be  seven-and-twenty. 

Still  Anna  Comnena  was,  or  had  very  lately  been,  a 
beauty  of  the  very  first  rank,  and  must  be  supposed  to 
have  still  retained  charms  to  captivate  a  barbarian  of  the 
north  ;  if,  indeed,  he  himself  was  not  careful  to  maintain 
a  heedful  recollection  of  the  immeasurable  distance  be- 
tween them.  Indeed,  even  this  recollection  might  hardly 
have  saved  Hereward  from  the  charms  of  this  enchan- 
tress, bold,  free-born,  and  fearless  as  he  was  ;  for,  during 
that  time  of  strange  revolutions,  there  were  many  in- 
stances of  successful  generals  sharing  the  couch  of  im- 
perial princesses,  whom  perhaps  they  had  themselves 
rendered  widows,  in  order  to  make  way  for  their  own 
pretensions.  But,  besides  the  influence  of  other  recol- 
lections, which  the  reader  may  learn  hereafter,  Hereward, 
though  flattered  by  the  unusual  degree  of  attention  which 
the  Princess  bestowed  upon  him,  saw  in  her  only  the 
daughter  of  his  Emperor  and  adopted  liege  lord,  and  the 
wife  of  a  noble  prince,  whom  reason  and  duty  alike 
forbade  him  to  think  of  in  any  other  light. 

It  was  after  one  or  two  pz-eliminary  efforts  that  the 
Princess  Anna  began  her  reading  with  an  uncertain 
voice,  which  gained  strength  and  fortitude  as  she  pro- 
ceeded with  the  following  passage  from  a  well-known  part 
of  her  history  of  Alexius  Comnenus,  but  which  unfor- 
tunately has  not  been  republished  in  the  Byzantine  his- 
torians. The  narrative  cannot,  therefore,  be  otherwise 
than  acceptable  to  the  antiquarian  reader ;  and  the  au- 
thor hopes  to  receive  the  thanks  of  the  learned  world  for 


108  WAVKin.KV    XOVKI.S. 

the  rcoovcrv  of  a  curious  rrajrmi'ut,  which,  without  his 
exertions,  must  probably  havo  passed  to  th«'  gult  ot"  total 
oblivion. 

2r!)t  Bctrtat  of  7iaotiiccn, 

NOW     FIRST     I'UBMSnKl)     FKOM     THK     fJUF.F.K     OF     THK 
PRIXOKSS    COMXENA's    HISTORY    OK    KKK     lATHKR. 

"Tlic  >un  had  betaken  hiniselt"  to  his  bed  in  the  ocean, 
ashamed,  it  would  seena,  to  see  the  immortal  ai-my  of  our 
most  sacred  Emperor  Alexius  sinrounded  by  those  bar- 
barous hordes  of  unbelieving  barbarians,  who,  as  described 
in  our  last  chapter,  had  occupied  the  various  passes  both 
in  front  and  rear  of  tlie  Honians,*  .secured  din-ing  the  p?-e- 
ceding  night  by  the  wily  barbarians.  Although,  there- 
fore, a  triumphant  course  of  advance  had  brought  us  to 
this  point,  it  now  became  a  serious  and  doubtful  question 
wliether  our  victorious  eagles  might  be  able  to  penetrate 
any  farther  into  the  country  of  tlie  enemy,  or  even  to 
retreat  with  safety  into  their  own. 

"The  extensive  acquaintance  of  tiie  Kniperor  with 
military  affairs,  in  which  he  exceeds  most  living  princes, 
had  induced  him.  on  the  preceding  evening,  to  ascertain, 
with  marvellous  exaclilude  and  (ore>ighl,  the  precise  po- 
sition of  the  enemy.  In  this  most  ne<-essary  service  he 
eraploye(l  certain  light-armed  barbarians,  whose  habits 
and  discipline  had  been  originally  derived  from  the  wilds 
of  Syria  ;  and.  if  I  am  required  to  speak  according  to 
the  dietatifju  of  Triilli.  seeing  slw  ought  ;ilways  to  sit 
iq>on  the  pi  II  of  a   historian.  I   mii-l    needs  say  they  were 

«  .More  properly  tcrnied  tlie  (Jrceks;  but  we  tollow  the  i)lirascology 
of  the  fair  authoress. 


COUNT  UOBEUT  OF  PARIS.  109 

infidels  like  their  enemies ;  faitlifullj^  attached,  however, 
to  the  Roman  service,  and,  as  I  believe,  true  slaves  of  the 
Emperor,  to  whom  they  communicated  the  information 
required  by  him  respecting  the  position  of  his  dreaded 
opponent  Jezdegerd.  These  men  did  not  bring  in  their 
information  till  long  after  the  hour  when  the  Emperor 
usually  betook  himself  to  rest. 

"  Notwithstanding  this  derangement  of  his  most  sacred 
time,  our  imperial  father,  who  had  postponed  the  cere- 
mony of  disrobing,  so  important  were  the  necessities  of 
the  moment,  continued,  until  deep  in  the  night,  to  hold  a 
council  of  his  wisest  chiefs,  men  whose  depth  of  judgment 
might  have  saved  a  sinking  world,  and  who  now  consulted 
what  was  to  be  done  under  the  pressure  of  the  circum- 
stances in  which  they  were  now  placed.  And  so  great 
was  the  urgency,  that  all  ordinary  observances  of  the 
household  were  set  aside,  since  I  have  heard  from  those 
who  witnessed  the  fact,  that  the  royal  bed  was  displayed 
in  the  very  room  where  the  council  assembled,  and  that 
the  sacred  lamp,  called  the  Light  of  the  Council,  and 
which  always  burns  when  the  Emperor  presides  in  person 
over  the  deliberations  of  his  servants,  was  for  that  night 
— a  thing  unknown  in  our  annals — fed  with  unperfumed 
oil ! !  " 

The  fair  speaker  here  threw  her  fine  form  into  an 
attitude  which  expressed  holy  horror,  and  the  hearers 
intimated  their  sympathy  in  the  exciting  cause  by  corre- 
sponding signs  of  interest ;  as  to  which  we  need  only  say, 
that  the  sigh  of  Achilles  Tatius  was  the  most  pathetic  ; 
while  the  groan  of  Agelastes  the  Elephant  was  deepest 
and  most  tremendously  bestial  in  its  sound.  Hereward 
seemed  little  moved,  except  by  a  slight  motion  of  surprise 
at  the  wonder  expressed  by  the  others.     The  Princess, 


110  IVAVKHI.KV    NOVKL.S, 

having  ;)lli)\v<'<l  diic  time  for  tlie  syiiipathv  of  licr  lir'arers 
to  «'xlul>it  itself,  jtrocfodcd  as  follows  : — 

"  In  this  iiit'laiicholy  -ituatioii,  wlicii  even  tlic  Ix-st- 
establislicd  and  most  saored  rites  of  the  imperial  house- 
hold gave  way  to  the  necessity  of  a  ha^ty  provision  for 
the  morrow,  the  oi)inions  of  the  counsellors  were  different, 
according  to  their  tempers  and  habits  ;  a  thing,  by  the 
way,  which  may  be  remarked  as  likely  to  happen  among 
the  best  and  wisest  on  such  occasions  of  doubt  and 
danger. 

"  I  do  not  in  this  place  put  down  the  names  and  opin- 
ions of  those  whose  counsels  were  proposed  and  rejected, 
herein  paying  respect  to  the  secrecy  and  freedom  of  de- 
bale  justly  attached  to  the  impirial  caltinrl.  Enough  it 
is  to  say,  that  some  there  were  who  advised  a  speedy 
attack  upon  the  enemy,  in  the  direction  of  our  original 
advance.  Others  thought  it  was  safer,  anrl  might  be 
easier,  to  force  our  way  to  the  rear,  and  retreat  by  the 
same  course  which  had  brought  us  hither;  nor  must  it  be 
concealed  that  there  were  persons  of  unsuspected  fidelity, 
who  proposed  a  third  course,  safer  indeed  than  the  others, 
but  totally  alien  to  the  mind  of  our  most  magnanimous 
father.  They  recommended  that  a  confidential  slave,  in 
company  with  a  minister  of  tlie  interior  of  our  imperial 
palace,  sliould  be  sent  to  the  tent  of  Jezdegcid.  in  order 
to  ascertain  ii|ton  whiit  terms  the  barbarian  would  permit 
our  triumphant  father  to  retreat  in  safety  at  tin-  head  of 
his  victorious  army.  On  learning  such  opinion,  our  im- 
perial father  w!ls  heard  to  exclaim,  '  Sancfa  Sophia  !  *  be- 
ing the  nearest  approach  to  an  adjuration  which  h<!  has 
been  known  to  permit  himself,  and  was  apparently  al)out 
to  say  something  violent  both  conci-rning  the  dishonour 
of  the  advice,  and   the   cowardice  of  those  by  whom  it 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  Ill 

was  preferred,  wlieii,  recollecting  the  mutability  of  human 
things,  and  the  misfortune  of  several  of  his  Majesty's  gra- 
cious predecessors,  some  of  whom  had  been  compelled  to 
surrender  their  sacred  persons  to  the  infidels  in  the  same 
region,  his  Imperial  Majesty  repressed  his  generous  feel- 
ings, and  only  suffered  his  army  counsellors  to  understand 
his  sentiments  by  a  speech,  in  which  he  declared  so  des- 
perate and  so  dishonourable  a  course  would  be  the  last 
which  he  would  adopt,  even  in  the  last  extremity  of  dan- 
ger. Thus  did  the  judgment  of  this  mighty  Prince  at 
once  reject  counsel  that  seemed  shameful  to  his  arms,  and 
thereby  encourage  the  zeal  of  his  troops,  while  privately 
he  kept  this  postern  in  reserve,  which  in  utmost  need 
might  serve  for  a  safe,  though  not  altogether,  in  less 
urgent  circumstances,  an  honourable  retreat. 

"  When  the  discussion  had  reached  this  melancholy 
crisis,  the  renowned  Achilles  Tatius  arrived  with  the 
hopeful  intelligence,  that  he  himself  and  some  soldiers  of 
his  corps  had  discovered  an  opening  on  the  left  flank  of 
our  present  encampment,  by  which,  making  indeed  a  con- 
siderable circuit,  but  reaching,  if  we  marched  with  vigour, 
the  town  of  Laodicea,  we  might,  by  falling  back  on  our 
resources,  be  in  some  measure  in  surety  from  the  enemy. 

"  So  soon  as  this  ray  of  hope  darted  on  the  troubled 
mind  of  our  gracious  father,  he  proceeded  to  make  such 
arrangements  as  might  secure  the  full  benefit  of  the  ad- 
vantage. His  Imperial  Highness  would  not  permit  the 
brave  Varangians,  whose  battle-axes  he  accounted  the 
flower  of  his  imperial  army,  to  take  the  advanced  posts 
of  assailants  on  the  present  occasion.  He  repressed  the 
love  of  battle  by  which  these  generous  foreigners  have 
been  at  all  times  distinguished,  and  directed  that  the 
Syrian  forces  in  the  army,  who  have  been  before  men- 


112  WAVKKI.KY    NOVKl.S. 

tioiitMl,  sliould  be  asscmlili'd  with  iu-;  liltle  ii<»i>f  ;is  possible 
in  th«'  vicinity  ot"  the  (leserfcd  pass,  witli  instructions  to 
occupy  it.  The  jjood  genius  of  the  empii-e  sufrgested  that, 
as  tiieir  speech,  arms,  and  appearance,  resembled  those 
of  the  enemy,  they  might  be  })ennitted  unopposed  to  take 
post  in  the  defile  with  their  light-armed  forces,  and  thus 
secure  it  for  the  passage  of  the  rest  of  the  army,  of  which 
he  proposed  that  the  Varangians,  as  iimiicdiatrly  atladied 
to  his  own  sacred  person,  should  form  tiie  vanguard.  The 
well-known  battalions,  termed  the  Immortals,  came  next, 
comprising  the  gross  of  the  army,  and  forming  the  centre 
and  rear.  Achilles  Tatius,  the  faithful  Follower  of  his 
Uoval  Master,  although  mortified  that  he  was  not  permit- 
ted to  svssume  the  charge  of  the  rear,  which  lie  had  pro- 
posed for  himself  and  his  valiant  troops,  as  the  post  of 
danger  at  the  time,  cheerfully  ac(iuiesced,  nevertheless,  in 
the  arrangement  proposed  by  the  Emperor,  as  most  fit  to 
effect  the  imperial  safety,  and  that  of  the  army. 

"The  imperial  orders,  as  they  were  sent  iu>tautly 
abroad,  were  in  like  manner  executed  with  the  readiest 
punctuality,  the  rather  that  they  indicated  a  course  of 
safely  which  had  Ixmmi  almo-l  despaired  of  even  \i\  the 
olde.-t  soldiers.  During  the  dead  j)erio(l  of  lime,  when,  as 
the  divine  Homer  tells  us,  gods  and  men  are  alike  asleep, 
it  was  found  that  the  vigilance  and  prudence  of  a  single 
individual  had  provided  "safety  foi-  the  whole  Roman 
army.  The  pinnacles  of  the  luountain  passes  were 
scarcely  touched  by  the  earliest  beams  oi"  the  dawn,  when 
these  beiiras  were  also  n-ilected  from  the  steel  caps  and 
spears  of  the  Syrian.*,  under  the  commaufl  of  a  caplain 
named  Monastras.  who,  with  his  tril>e,  had  attached  him- 
self to  the  empire.  Th<-  Kmperor,  at  the  head  of  his 
failhtul  \  arangiau-.   deliled    iliiiiii".di    ilie    pM<>es   in  order 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  TARIS.  113 

to  gain  that  degree  of"  advance  on  the  road  to  the  city  of 
Laodicea  which  was  desired,  so  as  to  avoid  coming  into 
collision  with  the  barbarians. 

"  It  was  a  goodly  sight  to  see  the  dark  mass  of  northern 
warriors,  who  now  led  the  van  of  the  army,  moving 
slowly  and  steadily  through  the  defiles  of  the  mountains, 
around  the  insulated  rocks  and  precipices,  and  surmount- 
ing the  gentler  acclivities,  like  the  coui'se  of  a  strong  and 
mighty  river ;  while  the  loose  bands  of  archers  and  jave- 
lin men,  armed  after  the  Eastern  manner,  were  dispersed 
on  the  steep  sides  of  the  defiles,  and  might  be  compared 
to  light  foam  upon  the  edge  of  the  torrent.  In  the  midst 
of  the  squadrons  of  the  life-guard  might  be  seen  the  proud 
war-horse  of  his  Imperial  Majesty,  which  pawed  the  earth 
indignantly,  as  if  impatient  at  the  delay  which  separated 
him  from  his  august  burden.  The  Emperor  Alexius 
himself  travelled  in  a  litter,  borne  by  eight  strong  African 
slaves,  that  he  might  rise  perfectly  refreshed  if  the  army 
should  be  overtaken  by  the  enemy.  The  valiant  Achilles 
Tatius  rode  near  the  couch  of  his  master,  that  none  of 
those  luminous  ideas,  by  which  our  august  sire  so  often 
decided  the  fate  of  battle,  might  be  lost  for  want  of 
instant  communication  to  those  whose  duty  it  was  to  exe- 
cute them.  I  may  also  say,  that  there  were  close  to  the 
litter  of  the  Emperor,  three  or  four  carriages  of  the  same 
kind ;  one  prepared  for  the  Moon,  as  she  may  be  termed, 
of  the  universe,  the  gracious  Empress  Irene.  Among  the 
others  which  might  be  mentioned,  was  that  which  con- 
tained the  authoress  of  this  history,  unworthy  as  she  may 
be  of  distinction,  save  as  the  daughter  of  the  eminent  and 
sacred  persons  whom  the  narration  chiefly  concerns.  In 
this  manner  the  imperial  army  pressed  on  through  the 
dangerous  defiles,  where  their  march  was  exposed  to  in- 

VOL.  XLVII.  8 


114  AV  AVIKI.KY    NOVKLS. 

>ulls  Ci-din  thf  h;iili;iri;iii<.  Tin'}'  ^\\•\\'  liaj)])!!}-  cleared 
without  any  opposition.  WlitMi  we  canu;  to  the  descent 
of  tlio  pass  wliicli  looks  down  on  the  city  of  Laodicca,  the 
sagacity  of  the  Emperor  conunanded  the  van — which, 
though  the  soldiers  composing  the  same  were  lieavily 
armed,  had  hitherto  marched  extremely  fast — to  halt,  as 
well  that  they  themselves  might  take  some  repose  and 
refreshment,  as  to  give  the  rearward  forces  time  to  corae 
up,  and  dose  various  gaps  which  the  rapid  movement  of 
those  in  front  liad  occtisioned  in  the  Hne  of  march. 

"  The  place  chosen  for  this  purpose  was  eminently 
heautifid,  from  the  small  and  comparatively  insignilicant 
ridge  of  liills  which  niilt  iiiegularly  down  into  the  plains 
stretching  hetween  the  j)ass  which  we  occupied  and  Lao- 
dicea.  The  town  was  about  one  hundred  stadia  distant, 
and  some  of  our  more  sanguine  warriors  jjretendcd  that 
they  could  ah-eady  discern  its  towers  and  piimacles,  glit- 
tering in  the  early  beams  of  the  sun,  which  had  not  as 
yet  risen  high  into  the  horizon.  A  mountain  torrent, 
which  found  its  source  at  the  foot  of  a  huge  rock,  that 
yawned  to  give  it  birth,  as  if  struck  by  the;  rod  of  the 
prophet  Moses,  poured  its  liquid  treasure  down  to  the 
more  level  country,  nourishing  herbage  and  even  large 
trees,  in  its  descent,  until,  at  the  distance  of  some  four  or 
^iv(»  miles,  the  stream,  at  least  in  dry  seasons,  was  lost 
amid  heaps  of  sand  and  stones,  which  in  the  rainy  season 
marked  the  strength  and  fury  of  its  current. 

''It  was  pleasant  to  see  the  attention  of  the  Emperor 
1<»  the  comforts  of  the  compani(»ns  and  guardians  of  his 
march.  Tlw  tniitiptls  from  time  to  time  gave  license  to 
various  parties  of  the  \'arangians  to  lay  down  their  arms, 
to  eat  the  food  which  wa<  di-triltutr-d  to  them,  and  (piench 
their  ihir-t  at  the    pure   -treani.  wliieh  poured  it-;  boiuities 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  115 

down  the  hill,  or  they  might  be  seen  to  extend  their  bulky 
forms  upon  the  tuif  around  them.  The  Emperor,  his 
most  serene  spouse,  and  the  princesses  and  ladies,  were 
also  served  with  breakfast,  at  the  fountain  formed  by  the 
small  brook  in  its  very  birth,  and  which  the  reverent 
feelings  of  the  soldiers  had  left  unpolluted  by  vulgar 
touch,  fpr  the  use  of  that  family,  emphatically  said  to  be 
born  in  the  purple.  Our  beloved  husband  was  also  pres- 
ent on  this  occasion,  and  was  among  the  first  to  detect 
one  of  the  disasters  of  the  day.  For,  although  all  the 
rest  of  the  repast  had  been,  by  the  dexterity  of  the  officers 
of  the  imperial  mouth,  so  arranged,  even  on  so  awful  an 
occasion,  as  to  exhibit  little  difference  from  the  ordinary 
provisions  of  the  household,  yet,  when  his  Imperial  High- 
ness called  for  wine,  behold,  not  only  was  the  sacred  liquor, 
dedicated  to  his  own  peculiar  imperial  use,  wholly  ex- 
hausted or  left  behind,  but,  to  use  the  language  of  Horace, 
not  the  vilest  Sabine  vintage  could  be  procured ;  so  that 
his  Imperial  Highness  was  glad  to  accept  the  offer  of  a 
rude  Varangian,  who  proffered  his  modicum  of  decocted 
barley,  which  these  barbarians  prefer  to  the  juice  of  the 
grape.  The  Emperor,  nevertheless,  accepted  of  this 
coarse  tribute." 

"  Insert,"  said  the  Emperor,  who  had  been  hitherto 
either  plunged  in  deep  contemplation,  or  in  an  incipient 
slumber,  "  insert,  I  say,  these  very  words  :  'And  with  the 
heat  of  the  morning,  and  anxiety  of  so  rapid  a  march, 
with  a  numerous  enemy  in  his  rear,  the  Emperor  was  so 
thirsty,  as  never  in  his  life  to  think  beverage  more  de- 
licious.' " 

In  obedience  to  her  imperial  father's  orders,  the  Prin- 
cess resigned  the  manuscript  to  the  beautiful  slave  by 
whom  it  was  written,  repeating  to  the  fair  scribe  the  com- 


116  "WAVKni.F.Y    NOVELS. 

manded  addition,  ivquirinjr  li«r  to  note  it,  as  made  hy  the 
express  sacrt'd  coiniiiaiid  of  the  KinptTor,  and  tiicn  pro- 
ceeded thus :  "  More  I  had  said  here  respecting  the 
favonrite  liquor  of  your  Imperial  Ilighness's  faithful 
Varangians;  hut  your  Highness  having  once  graced  it 
with  a  word  of  commendation,  this  «//,  as  they  call  it, 
doubtless  because  removing  all  disorders,  which  they  term 
'  ailments,'  becomes  a  theme  too  lofty  for  the  discussion 
of  any  inferior  person.  Suiriee  it  to  say,  that  thus  were 
we  all  pleasantly  engaged,  the  ladies  and  slaves  trying  to 
find  some  amusement  for  the  imperial  ears ;  the  soldiers, 
in  a  long  line  down  the  ravine,  seen  in  diflR'rent  postures, 
some  straggling  to  the  watercourse,  some  keeping  guard 
over  the  arms  of  their  comrades,  in  which  duty  they  re- 
lieved each  other,  while  body  after  body  of  the  remaining 
troops,  under  command  of  the  Protospatiiaire,  and  partic- 
ularly those  ciUled  Immortals,*  joined  the  main  army  as 
they  came  up.  Those  soldiers  who  were  already  ex- 
hausted, were  allowed  to  take  a  short  rej)Ose,  after  which 
they  were  sent  forward,  with  directions  to  advance 
steadily  on  the  road  to  Laodicea ;  while  their  leader  was 
instructed,  so  soon  as  he  should  open  a  free  communi- 
cation with  tliat  city,  to  send  thither  a  command  for 
reinforcements  and  refreshments,  not  forgetting  tilting 
provision  of  the  sacred  wine  lor  tlie  impciial  nioiitli.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  Koman  bands  of  Imniorlals  and  others  had 
resumed  their  mareli,  and  held  some  way  on  their  jour- 
ney, it  being  the  imjierial  pleasure  tliat  the  Varangians, 
lately  the  vanguard,  should  now  form  tlie  rear  of  the 
whole  army,  so  as  to  bring  off  in  safety  the  Syrian  light 

*  The  A'&avaroi,  or  Immortnls,  of  tho  nriny  of  roiistnntinoplo,  were 
a  select  body,  so  named,  in  iniitiition  of  the  imcifiit  IVrsinns.  They 
were  first  embodied,  according  to  Ducnnge,  by  Michiicl  Ducas. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  117 

troops,  by  whom  the  hilly  pass  was  still  occupied,  when 
we  heard  upon  the  other  side  of  this  defile,  which  we  had 
traversed  with  so  much  safety,  the  awful  sound  of  the 
Lelies,  as  the  Arabs  name  their  shout  of  onset,  though  in 
what  language  it  is  expressed,  it  would  be  hard  to  say. 
Perchance  some  in  this  audience  may  enlighten  my  ignor- 
ance." 

"  May  I  speak  and  live  !  "  said  the  Acoulouthos  Achil- 
les, proud  of  his  literary  knowledge,  "  the  words  are, 
Alia  ilia  alia,  Mohamed  resoul  alla.'f  These,  or  some- 
thing like  them,  contain  the  Arabs'  profession  of  faith, 
which  they  always  call  out  when  they  join  battle  ;  I  have 
heard  them  many  times." 

"  And  so  have  I,"  said  the  Emperor ;  "  and  as  thou 
didst,  I  warrant  me,  I  have  sometimes  wished  myself 
anywhere  else  than  within  hearing." 

All  the  cu'cle  were  alive  to  hear  the  answer  of  Achilles 
Tatius.  He  was  too  good  a  courtier,  however,  to  make 
any  imprudent  reply.  "  It  was  my  duty,"  he  replied,  "  to 
desire  to  be  as  near  your  Imperial  Highness  as  your 
faithful  Follower  ought,  wherever  you  might  wish  your- 
self for  the  time." 

Agelastes  and  Zosimus  exchanged  looks,  and  the  Prin- 
cess Anna  Comnena  proceeded  in  her  recitation. 

"  The  cause  of  these  ominous  sounds,  which  came  in 
wild  confusion  up  the  rocky  pass,  was  soon  explained  to 
us  by  a  dozen  cavaliers,  to  whom  the  task  of  bringing  in- 
telligence had  been  assigned. 

"  These  informed  us,  that  the  barbarians,  whose  host 

had  been  dispersed  around  the  position  in  which  we  had 

encamped  the  preceding  day,  had  not  been  enabled  to  get 

their  forces  together  until  our  hght  troops  were  evacuat- 

t  i-  e.  "  God  is  God — Mahomet  is  the  prophet  of  God." 


118  ■WAVKin.r.Y  novkls. 

in<5  the  post  they  hail  occiH)ie(l  for  securing  the  retreat  of 
our  army.  They  were  then  drawing  off  from  tlie  tops 
of  the  hills  into  the  pass  itself,  when,  in  despite  of  the 
rocky  ground,  they  were  charged  furiously  by  Jezdegerd, 
at  the  head  of  a  large  body  of  his  followers,  which,  after 
repeated  exertions,  he  had  at  length  brought  to  operate 
on  the  rear  of  the  Syrians.  Notwithstanding  that  the 
pass  was  unfavourable  for  cavalry,  the  per-unal  exertions 
of  tlif  infidel  cliicf  made  hi-;  followers  advance  with  a 
degree  of  resolution  uidcnown  to  the  Syrians  of  the 
Roman  army,  who,  fmding  themselves  at  a  <listance  from 
their  companions,  formed  the  injurious  idea  tliat  they 
were  left  there  to  be  sacrificed,  and  thought  of  llight  in 
various  directions,  rather  than  of  a  coml)ined  and  reso- 
lute resistance.  The  state  of  affairs,  therefore,  at  the 
further  end  of  the  piiss,  was  less  favourable  than  we  could 
wish,  and  those  whose  curiosity  desired  to  see  something 
whicli  might  be  termed  tlie  rout  of  the  rear  of  an  army, 
beheld  the  Syrians  pin-sued  from  the  hill  tops,  over- 
whelmed, and  individually  cut  down  and  made  jtrisoners 
by  the  bands  of  caitiff  Mussulmans. 

"His  Imperial  Highness  looked  upon  the  scene  of 
battle  for  a  few  minutes,  and,  much  commoved  at  what 
he  saw,  was  somewliat  hasty  in  his  directions  to  the 
Varangians  to  resume  their  arms,  and  precipitate  their 
march  towards  Laodicea ;  whereupon  one  of  those  north- 
ern ?oldiers  -aid  boldly,  though  in  opposition  to  the  im- 
perial command,  '  If  we  attempt  to  go  hastily  down  this 
hill,  our  rearguard  will  l)c  confused,  not  only  by  our  own 
hurry,  but  by  these  runaway  scoundrel-  of  Syrians,  who 
in  tlieir  lieadlong  fliglit  will  nol  tail  to  mix  themselves 
among  our  ranks.  Let  two  hiiiidre(l  Varangians,  who 
will  live  and  die  for  the  honour  of  England,  abide  in  the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  119 

very  throat  of  this  pass  with  me,  while  the  rest  escort  the 
Emperor  to  this  Laodicea,  or  whatever  it  is  called.  We 
may  perish  in  our  defence,  but  we  shall  die  in  our  duty ; 
and  I  have  little  doubt  but  we  shall  furnish  such  a  meal 
as  will  stay  the  stomach  of  these  yelping  hounds  from 
seeking  any  farther  banquet  this  day.' 

"  My  imperial  fether  at  once  discovered  the  importance 
of  this  advice,  though  it  made  him  well-nigh  weep  to  see 
with  what  unshrinking  fidelity  these  poor  barbarians 
pressed  to  fill  up  the  number  of  those  who  were  to  un- 
dertake this  desperate  duty — with  what  kindness  they 
took  leave  of  their  comrades,  and  with  what  jovial  shouts 
they  followed  their  sovereign  with  their  eyes  as  he  pro- 
ceeded on  his  march  down  the  hill,  leavmg  them  behind 
to  resist  and  perish.  The  Imperial  eyes  were  filled  with 
tears ;  and  I  am  not  ashamed  to  confess,  that  amid  the 
terror  of  the  moment,  the  Empress,  and  I  myself,  forgot 
our  rank  in  paying  a  similar  tribute  to  these  bold  and 
self-devoted  men. 

"  We  left  their  leader  carefully  arraying  his  handful  of 
comrades  in  defence  of  the  pass,  where  the  middle  path 
was  occupied  by  their  centre,  while  their  wings  on  either 
side  were  so  disposed  as  to  act  upon  the  flanks  of  the 
enemy,  should  he  rashly  press  upon  such  as  appeared 
opposed  to  him  in  the  road.  We  had  not  proceeded  half 
way  towards  the  plain,  when  a  dreadful  shout  arose,  in 
which  the  yells  of  the  Arabs  wei'e  mingled  with  the  deep 
and  more  regular  shout  which  these  strangers  usually 
repeat  thrice,  as  well  when  bidding  hail  to  their  com- 
manders and  princes,  as  when  in  the  act  of  engaging  in 
battle.  Many  a  look  was  turned  back  by  their  comrades, 
and  many  a  form  was  seen  in  the  ranks  which  might 
have  claimed  the  chisel  of  a  sculptor,  while  the  soldier 


120  WAVKRLKY    NOVKLS. 

hesitated  wlietlier  to  follow  the  IIik;  of  his  duty,  which 
called  him  to  march  forward  with  his  Emperor,  or  the 
impulse  of  courage,  wliich  pnnniitid  him  to  rush  liack  to 
join  his  companions.  Discipline,  however,  prevailed,  and 
the  main  hody  marched  on. 

"  An  hour  had  elapsed,  during  which  we  heard,  from 
time  to  time,  the  noise  of  battle,  when  a  mounted  Varan- 
gian presented  himself  at  the  side  of  the  Emperor's  litter. 
The  horse  was  covered  with  foam,  and  had  obviously, 
from  his  trappings,  the  fineness  of  his  limbs,  and  the 
smallness  of  his  joints,  been  the  charger  of  some  chief 
of  tlie  desert,  which  had  fallen  by  the  chance  of  battle 
into  the  possession  of  the  northern  warrior.  The  broad 
axe  which  tiie  Varangian  bore  was  also  stained  with 
blood,  and  the  paleness  of  death  itself  was  upon  his 
countenance.  These  marks  of  recent  battle  were  held 
sufficient  to  excuse  the  irregularity  of  his  salutation,  while 
he  exclaimed, — '  Noble  Prince,  the  Arabs  are  defeated, 
and  you  may  pursue  your  march  at  more  leisure.' 

'•'Where  is  .lezdegerd  ? '  said  the  Emperor,  who  had 
many  reasons  for  dreading  this  celebrated  chief. 

" '  Jezdegerd,'  continued  the  Varangian,  '  is  where 
brave  men  are  who  fiill  in  their  duty.' 

"•And  that  is' — said  the  Emperor,  impatient  to  know 
distinctly  the  hite  of  so  formidable  an  adversary 

"' Where  I  am  now  going,' answered  thi;  faithful  sol- 
dier, who  droppe(l  from  his  horse  as  he  spoke,  and  ex- 
pired at  the  feet  of  the  litter-bearers. 

"Tlnr  Emperor  called  to  his  attendants  to  see  that  the 
body  of  this  faithfid  retainer,  to  whom  he  destined  an 
honourable  sepulchre,  was  not  M\  to  the  jackal  or  vul- 
ture ;  and  some  <»f  his  brethren,  the  Anglo-.Saxons,  among 
whom   he  was  a  man  of  no  mean  repute,  raised  the  body 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  121 

on  their  shoulders,  and  resumed  their  march  with  this 
additional  encumbrance,  prepared  to  fight  for  their  pre- 
cious burden,  like  the  valiant  Menelaus  for  the  body  of 
Patroclus." 

The  Princess  Anna  Comnena  here  naturally  paused ; 
for,  having  attained  what  she  probably  considered  as  the 
rounding  of  a  period,  she  was  willing  to  gather  an  idea 
of  the  feelings  of  her  audience.  Indeed,  but  that  she 
had  been  intent  upon  her  own  manuscript,  the  emotions 
of  the  foreign  soldier  must  have  more  early  attracted  her 
attention.  In  the  beginning  of  her  recitation,  he  had 
retained  the  same  attitude  which  he  had  at  first  assumed, 
stiff  and  rigid  as  a  sentinel  upon  duty,  and  apparently 
remembering  nothing  save  that  he  was  performing  that 
duty  in  presence  of  the  imperial  court.  As  the  narrative 
advanced,  however,  he  appeared  to  take  more  interest  in 
what  was  read.  The  anxious  fears  expressed  by  the 
various  leaders  in  the  midnight  council,  he  listened  to 
with  a  smile  of  suppressed  contempt,  and  he  almost 
laughed  at  the  praises  bestowed  upon  the  leader  of  his 
own  corps,  Achilles  Tatius.  Nor  did  even  the  name  of 
the  Empei'or,  though  listened  to  respectfully,  gain  that 
applause  for  which  his  daughter  fought  so  hard,  and  used 
so  much  exaggeration. 

Hitherto  the  Varangian's  countenance  indicated  very 
slightly  any  internal  emotions ;  but  they  appeared  to  take 
a  deeper  hold  on  his  mind  as  she  came  to  the  description 
of  the  halt  after  the  main  army  had  cleared  the  pass  ; 
the  unexpected  advance  of  the  Arabs  ;  the  retreat  of  the 
column  which  escorted  the  Emperor ;  and  the  account  of 
the  distant  engagement.  He  lost,  on  hearing  the  narra- 
tion of  these  events,  the  rigid  and  constrained  look  of  a 
soldier,  who  listened  to  the  history  of  his  Emperor  with 


122  AVAVKKLKY    NOVKI.S. 

the  same  fecliiif^s  with  which  lie  wouhl  haw  mounted 
guard  at  his  pahico.  His  colour  bcjfaii  to  come  and  go  ; 
his  eyes  to  fill  and  to  sparkle  ;  his  limbs  to  become  more 
agitated  than  their  owner  seemed  to  assent  to ;  and  liis 
whole  appearance  was  changed  into  that  of  a  listener, 
highly  interested  by  the  recitation  which  hr  hears,  and 
insensible,  or  forgetful,  of  whatever  else  is  passing  l)cfore 
him,  as  well  as  of  the  quaUty  of  those  who  are  present. 

As  the  historian  proceeded,  Hereward  became  less  able 
to  conceal  his  agitation  ;  and  at  the  moment  the  Princess 
looked  round,  his  feelings  became  so  acute,  that,  forgetting 
where  he  was,  he  dropped  his  ponderous  axe  upon  the 
floor,  and,  clasping  his  hands  together,  exclaimed — "  My 
unfortunate  brother ! " 

All  were  startled  by  the  clang  of  the  falling  weapon, 
and  several  jx-rsons  at  once  attempted  to  interfere,  as 
called  upon  t(j  exj)lain  a  cii'cinustant'e  so  nnti-nal. 
Achilles  Tatius  made  some  small  progress  in  a  speech 
designed  to  apologize  for  the  rough  mode  of  venting  his 
sorrows  to  which  Hereward  had  given  way,  by  assuring 
the  eminent  persons  present,  that  the  poor  uncultivated 
barbarian  was  actually  younger  brother  to  him  who  had 
commanded  and  fallen  at  the  memorable  defile.  The 
Princess  said  nothing,  but  was  evidently  struck  and 
affected,  and  not  ill-pleased,  j)erliaps,  at  having  given 
rise  to  feelings  of  interest  so  flattering  to  her  as  an  au- 
thoress. The  others,  each  in  their  character,  uttered 
incolieniil  words  of  what  was  meant  to  be  consolation  ; 
for  distress  which  Hows  from  a  natural  can.-e,  generally 
attract-;  sympathy  even  from  the  mo>t  artificial  characters. 
The  voice  of  Alexins  .-ileiiced  all  ihesi'  imperfect  speak- 
ers :  "Hah,  my  brave  soldier,  Kdward !  "  said  the  Em- 
peror, "  I  must  have  been   blind   that  I  did  not  sooner 


COUNT    KOBERT    OF    PARIS.  123 

recognise  thee,  as  I  think  thei'e  is  a  memorandum  en- 
tered, respecting  five  hundred  pieces  of  gold  due  from  us 
to  Edward  the  Varangian  ;  we  have  it  in  our  secret  scroll 
of  such  liberalities  for  which  we  stand  indebted  to  our 
servitors,  nor  shall  the  payment  be  longer  deferred." 

"  Not  to  me,  if  it  may  please  you,  my  liege,"  said  the 
Anglo-Dane,  hastily  composing  his  countenance  into  its 
rough  gravity  of  lineament,  "  lest  it  should  be  to  one  who 
can  claim  no  interest  in  your  imperial  munificence.  My 
name  is  Hereward  ;  that  of  Edward  is  borne  by  three  of 
my  companions,  all  of  them  as  likely  as  I  to  have  de- 
served your  Highness's  reward  for  the  faithful  perform- 
ance of  their  duty." 

Many  a  sign  was  made  by  Tatius  in  order  to  guard  his 
soldier  against  the  folly  of  declining  the  liberality  of  the 
Emperor.  Agelastes  spoke  more  plainly  :  "  Young  man," 
he  said,  "  rejoice  in  an  honour  so  unexpected,  and  answer 
henceforth  to  no  other  name  save  that  of  Edward,  by 
which  it  hath  pleased  the  light  of  the  world,  as  it  poured 
a  ray  upon  thee,  to  distinguish  thee  from  other  bar- 
barians. What  is  to  thee  the  font-stone,  or  the  priest 
officiating  thereat,  shouldst  thou  have  derived  from  either 
any  epithet  different  from  that  by  which  it  hath  now 
pleased  the  Emperor  to  distinguish  thee  from  the  com- 
mon mass  of  humanity,  and  by  which  proud  distinction 
thou  hast  now  a  right  to  be  known  ever  afterwards  ?  " 

"  Hereward  was  the  name  of  my  father,"  said  the  sol- 
dier, who  had  now  altogether  recovered  his  composure. 
"I  cannot  abandon  it  while  I  honour  his  memory  in 
death.  Edward  is  the  title  of  my  comrade — I  must  not 
run  the  risk  of  usurping  his  interest." 

"  Peace  all ! "  interrupted  the  Emperor.  "  If  we  have 
made  a  mistake,  we  are  rich  enough  to  i-ight  it ;  nor  shall 


124  WAVKUI.EY    NOVKLS. 

Herpwanl  bo  the  ])Ooi<t.  if  an  Kdwanl  shall  be  foiinrl  to 
merit  this  j^ratuity." 

"  Your  Highness  may  trust  that  to  your  affectionate 
consort,"  answered  the  Empress  Irene. 

"  His  most  sacred  Highness,"  said  the  Princess  Anna 
Comnena,  "  is  so  avariciously  desirous  to  do  whatever  is 
good  and  gracious,  that  he  leaves  no  room  even  for  his 
nearest  connexions  to  display  generosity  or  munificence. 
Nevertheless,  I,  in  my  degree,  will  testify  my  gratitude 
to  this  brave  man ;  for  where  his  exploits  are  mentioned 
in  this  history,  I  will  cause  to  be  recorded, — '  This  feat 
was  done  by  Hcreward  the  Anglo-Dane,  whom  it  hath 
pleased  his  Imperial  Majesty  to  call  Edward.'  Keep 
this,  good  youth,"  she  continued,  bestowing  at  the  same 
time  a  ring  of  j)riee,  "in  token  that  we  will  not  forget  our 
enjiajiement." 

Hereward  accepted  the  token,  with  a  profound  obei- 
sance, and  a  discomposure  which  his  station  rendered  not 
unbecoming.  It  was  obvious  to  most  persons  j)resent, 
that  the  gratitude  of  the  beautiful  Princess  was  expressed 
in  a  manner  more  acceptable  to  the  youthful  life-guards- 
man, than  that  of  Alexius  Comnenus.  He  took  the  ring 
with  great  demonstration  of  thankfulness :  "  Precious 
relic ! "  he  said,  as  he  saluted  this  jdedge  of  esteem  by 
pressing  it  to  his  lips  ;  "  we  may  not  remain  long  together, 
but  be  assuH'fl,"  beniling  reverently  to  the  Princess,  "  that 
death  alom-  shall  part  us." 

"Proceed,  oui-  princely  daughtiT,"  saiil  the  Emjtress 
Irene;  "you  have  <loMe  enough  to  show  that  valour  is 
precious  to  her  who  can  confer  fame,  whether  it  be  found 
in  a  Roman  or  a  barbarian." 

The  princess  re^iumeil  her  narrative  with  -onie  slight 
appearance  of  ( inbarras.^ment. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  125 

"  Our  movement  upon  Laodicea  was  now  resumed,  and 
continued  with  good  hopes  on  the  part  of  those  engaged 
in  the  march.  Yet  instinctively  we  could  not  help  cast- 
ing our  eyes  to  the  rear,  which  had  been  so  long  the 
direction  in  which  we  feared  attack.  At  length,  to  our 
surprise,  a  thick  cloud  of  dust  was  visible  on  the  descent 
of  the  hill,  half  way  betwixt  us  and  the  place  at  which 
we  had  halted.  Some  of  the  troops  who  composed  our 
retreating  body,  particularly  those  in  the  rear,  began  to 
exclaim,  '  The  Arabs  !  the  Arabs  ! '  and  their  march  as- 
sumed a  more  precipitate  character  when  they  believed 
themselves  pursued  by  the  enemy.  But  the  Varangian 
guards  affirmed  with  one  voice,  that  the  dust  was  raised 
by  the  remains  of  their  own  comrades,  who,  left  in  the 
defence  of  the  pass,  had  marched  off  after  having  so  val- 
iantly maintained  the  station  entrusted  to  them.  They 
fortified  their  opinion  by  professional  remarks  that  the 
cloud  of  dust  was  more  concentrated  than  if  raised  by 
the  Arab  horse,  and  they  even  pretended  to  assert,  from 
their  knoAvledge  of  such  cases,  that  the  number -of  their 
comrades  had  been  much  diminished  in  the  action.  Some 
Syrian  horsemen,  dispatched  to  reconnoitre  the  approach- 
ing body,  brought  intelligence  corresponding  with  the 
opinion  of  the  Varangians  in  every  particular.  The  por- 
tion of  the  body-guard  had  beaten  back  the  Arabs,  and 
their  gallant  leader  had  slain  their  chief  Jezdegerd,  in 
which  service  he  was  mortally  wounded,  as  this  history 
hath  already  mentioned.  The  survivors  of  the  detach- 
ment, diminished  by  one  half,  wei'e  now  on  (heir  march 
to  join  the  Emperor,  as  fast  as  the  encumbrance  of  bear- 
ing their  wounded  to  a  place  of  safety  would  permit. 

"  The  Emperor  Alexius,  with  one  of  those  brilliant  and 
benevolent  ideas  which  mark  his   paternal  character  to- 


126  WAVERLEY    NOVELS. 

wards  his  soldiers,  ordered  all  tlic  litters,  even  that  for  his 
own  most  saered  use,  to  be  in-taiitly  sent  hack  to  relieve 
thf  Ixiid  Varangians  of  the  task  of  bearing  ihf  winnided. 
Tiie  shouts  of  the  Varangians'  gratitude  may  l)e  more 
easily  conceived  than  described,  when  they  beheld  the 
Emperor  himself  descend  from  his  litter,  like  an  ordinary 
cavalier,  and  assume  his  war-horse,  at  the  same  time  that 
the  most  sacred  Empress,  as  well  as  the  authoress  of  this 
history,  with  other  princesses  born  in  the  purjde,  mounted 
upon  mules  in  order  to  proceed  upon  the  march,  while 
tlieir  litters  were  unhesitatingly  assigned  for  the  accom- 
modation of  the  wounded  men.  This  was  indeed  a  mark, 
as  well  of  military  sagacity  as  of  humanity;  for  the  re- 
lief afKirdc'l  to  tlie  bearers  of  the  wounded,  enabled  the 
survivors  of  tliose  who  had  defended  the  defile  at  the 
fountain,  to  join  us  sooner  than  would  otherwise  have 
been  possible. 

"  It  was  an  awful  thing  to  see  those  men  who  had  left 
us  in  the  full  splendour  wiiicb  military  equipment  gives 
to  youth  and  strength,  again  appearing  in  diminished 
numbers — their  armour  shattered — their  shields  full  of 
arrows — their  offensive  weapons  marked  with  blood,  and 
they  themselves  exhibiting  all  the  signs  of  dcsperati-  and 
recent  ])attle.  Nor  was  it  less  interesting  to  remark  the 
meeting  of  the  soldiers  who  had  lucn  engaged  with  the 
comrades  whom  they  had  rejoined.  The  Emperor,  at 
the  suggestion  of  the  trusty  Acouloulhos,  permitted  them 
a  few  moments  to  leave  their  ranks,  and  barn  fVoin  laeh 
(ttlier  the  fate  of  the  battle. 

"As  the  two  Itamls  mingled,  it  seemed  a  mertiiig  where 
grief  and  joy  liad  a  contest  together.  TIh'  most  rugged 
of  the-e  barbarian-i, — and  T  who  saw  it  can  bear  witness 
to  tin-  fact, — a«  ill'  welcomed  with   a  gni»p  of  his   strong 


COUNT   ROBERT    OP   PARIS.  127 

hand  some  comrade  whom  he  had  given  up  for  lost,  had 
his  Lirge  blue  eyes  filled  with  tears  at  hearing  of  the  loss 
of  some  one  whom  he  had  hoped  might  have  survived. 
Other  veterans  reviewed  the  standards  which  had  been 
in  the  conflict,  satisfied  themselves  that  they  had  all  been 
brought  back  in  honour  and  safety,  and  counted  the  fi'esh 
arrow-shots  with  which  they  had  been  pierced,  in  addition 
to  similar  marks  of  former  battles.  All  were  loud  in  the 
praises  of  the  brave  young  leader  they  had  lost,  nor  were 
the  acclamations  less  general  in  laud  of  him  who  had 
succeeded  to  the  command,  who  brought  up  the  party  of 
his  deceased  brother — and  whom,"  said  the  Princess,  in 
a  few  words,  which  seemed  apparently  interpolated  for 
the  occasion,  "  I  now  assure  of  the  high  honour  and  esti- 
mation in  which  he  is  held  by  the  author  of  this  history — 
that  is,  I  would  say,  by  every  member  of  the  imperial 
family — for  his  gallant  services  in  such  an  important 
crisis." 

Having  hurried  over  her  tribute  to  her  friend  the 
Varangian,  in  which  emotions  mingled  that  are  not  wil- 
lingly expressed  before  so  many  hearers,  Anna  Comnena 
proceeded  with  composure  in  the  part  of  her  history  which 
was  less  personal. 

"  We  had  not  much  time  to  make  more  observations  on 
what  passed  among  those  brave  soldiers ;  for  a  few  min- 
utes having  been  allowed  to  their  feelings,  the  trumpet 
sounded  the  advance  towards  Laodicea,  and  we  soon  be- 
held the  town,  now  about  four  miles  from  us,  in  fields 
which  were  chiefly  covered  with  trees.  Apparently  the 
garrison  had  already  some  notice  of  our  approach,  for 
carts  and  wains  were  seen  advancing  from  the  gates  with 
refreshments,  which  the  heat  of  the  day,  the  length  of 
the  march,  and  columns  of  dust,  as  well  as  the  want  of 


128  WAvr.iu.r.Y  novki.s. 

water,  had  reiidcred  of  tlie  last  necessity  to  lis.  The 
soUliers  joyfiiliy  inend«'d  tlieir  ])aoe  in  order  to  meet  the 
sooniT  with  the  suppHes  of  wliicli  they  stood  so  much  in 
need.  Hut  as  the  cup  dotii  not  carry  in  all  cases  the 
licpiid  treasure  to  the  lips  for  which  it  was  intended,  how- 
ever much  it  may  be  longed  for,  what  was  our  mortilica- 
tion  to  b»diold  a  cloud  of  Arabs  issue  at  full  gallop  from 
the  wooded  plain  betwixt  the  Roman  army  and  the  city, 
and  throw  themselves  upon  the  waggons,  slaying  the 
drivers,  and  making  havoc  and  spoil  of  the  contents ! 
This,  we  afterwards  learned,  was  a  body  of  the  enemy, 
headed  by  Varanes,  equal  in  military  fame,  among  those 
infidels,  to  Jezdegerd,  his  slain  hrotlicr.  "When  tliis  chief- 
tain saw  that  it  was  probable  that  the  Varangians  would 
succeed  in  tlieir  desperate  defence  of  the  pass,  he  put 
himself  at  the  head  of  a  large  l)ody  of  cfivalry  ;  and  as 
these  infidels  are  mounted  on  horses  unmatched  either  in 
speed  or  wnd,  performed  a  long  circuit,  traversed  the 
stony  ridge  of  hills  at  a  more  northerly  defile,  and  placed 
himself  in  ambuscade  in  the  wooded  plain  I  have  men- 
tioned, with  the  hope  of  making  an  unexpected  assault 
upon  the  Emperor  and  his  army,  at  the  very  time  when 
they  might  be  supposed  to  reckon  upon  an  undisputed 
retreat.  This  surprise  would  certainly  have  taken  j)laee. 
and  it  is  not  easy  to  say  what  might  have  been  the  conse- 
quence, had  not  the  unexi)eeted  appearance  of  the  train 
of  waggons  awakiMied  the  imbridled  rapacity  of  the  Arabs, 
in  spite  of  llnir  commander's  prudence,  and  attempts  to 
restrain  them.  In  this  manner  the  proposed  and)uscade 
was  discovered. 

"  liut  Varanes,  willing  still  to  gain  some  advantage 
from  the  rapidity  of  Ins  movements,  assembled  as  many 
of  bis  horsemen  as  could  be  collected  from  the  spoil,  and 


COUNT    ROBKRT    OP^    PARIS.  129 

pushed  forward  towards  the  Romans,  who  had  stopped 
short  on  their  march  at  so  unlooked  for  an  apparition. 
There  was  an  uncertainty  and  wavering  in  our  first 
ranks  which  made  their  hesitation  known  even  to  so  poor 
a  judge  of  military  demeanour  as  myself.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  Varangians  joined  in  a  unanimous  cry  of '  Bills'  * 
(that  is,  in  their  language,  battle-axes)  '  to  the  front ! ' 
and  the  Emperor's  most  gracious  will  acceding  to  their 
valorous  desire,  they  pressed  forward  from  the  rear  to 
the  head  of  the  column.  I  can  hai'dly  say  how  this  ma- 
noeuvre was  executed,  but  it  was  doubtless  by  the  wise 
directions  of  my  most  serene  father,  distinguished  for  his 
presence  of  mind  upon  such  difficult  occasions.  It  was, 
no  doubt,  much  facilitated  by  the  good  will  of  the  troops 
themselves ;  the  Roman  bands,  called  the  Immortals, 
showing,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  no  less  desire  to  fall  into 
the  rear,  than  did  the  Varangians  to  occupy  the  places 
which  the  Immortals  left  vacant  in  front.  The  manoeuvre 
was  so  happily  executed,  that  before  Varanes  and  his 
Arabs  had  arrived  at  the  van  of  our  troops,  they  found 
it  occupied  by  the  inflexible  guard  of  northern  soldiers. 
I  might  have  seen  with  my  own  eyes,  and  called  upon 
them  as  sure  evidences  of  that  which  chanced  upon  the 
occasion.  But,  to  confess  the  truth,  my  eyes  were  little 
used  to  look  upon  such  sights ;  for  of  Varanes's  charge  I 
only  beheld,  as  it  were,  a  thick  cloud  of  dust  rapidly 
driven  forward,  through  which  were  seen  the  glittering 
points  of  lances,  and  the  waving  plumes  of  turbaned  ca- 
valiers imperfectly  visible.  The  tecbir  was  so  loudly 
uttered,  that  I  was  scarcely  aware  that  kettle-drums  and 
brazen  cymbals  were  sounding  in  concert  with  it.     But 

*  Villehardouin  says,  "  Les  Anglois  et  Danois  mult  bien  combat- 
toient  avec  leurs  haches.^' 

VOL.  XLVH.  ^ 


130  WAVICULKY    NftVKLS. 

this  wild  and  outnigcous  storm  was  mot  as  cfTectually  as 
if  encounteroil  by  a  rock. 

"The  Varangians,  unshaken  by  tlic  furious  cliargf  of 
the  Arabs,  received  horse  and  lider  with  a  shower  of 
blows  from  iheir  massive  battle-axes,  which  the  bravest 
of  tlie  enemy  could  not  face,  nor  the  strongest  endin-e. 
The  guards  strengthened  their  ranks  also,  by  the  hind- 
most pressing  so  close  upon  those  that  went  before,  after 
the  manner  of  the  ancient  Macedonians,  that  the  fine- 
limbed,  though  slight  steeds  of  these  Idumeans  could  not 
make  the  least  inroad  upon  tlie  northern  phalanx.  The 
bravest  men,  the  mo.-t  gallant  horses,  fell  in  the  first 
rank.  The  weighty,  though  short,  horse-javelins,  flung 
from  the  rear  ranks  of  the  brave  Varangians,  with  good 
aim  and  sturdy  arm,  completed  the  confusion  of  the  as- 
sailants, who  turned  their  back  in  affright,  and  fled  from 
the  field  in  total  confusion. 

"  The  enemy  thus  repulsed,  we  proceeded  on  our  inarch, 
and  only  lialted  when  we  recovered  our  half-plundered 
waggons.  Here,  also,  some  invidious  remarks  were  made 
by  certain  officers  of  the  interior  of  the  household,  who 
had  been  on  duty  over  the  stores,  and  having  fled  from 
their  posts  on  the  assault  of  the  infidels,  had  only  lelurned 
upon  their  being  repulsed.  The>e  men,  (piick  in  malice, 
though  slow  ill  inriloiis  service,  reported  that,  on  this 
occasion,  the  A'arangians  so  far  forgot  their  duty  as  to 
consume  a  part  of  the  sacred  wine  reserved  for  th(;  im- 
perial lips  alcjiie.  1 1  would  be  criminal  to  deny  that  this 
was  a  great  and  culpal»le  oversight;  nevertheless,  our 
imperial  hero  pas.-ed  it  over  as  a  pardonable  offence; 
remarking,  in  a  j<sting  maimer,  that  since  he  had  drunk 
the  ail,  as  they  termed  it,  of  his  lru>ty  guard,  the  Varan- 
gians had  acquired  a  right  to  cpiench   iln;  thii-t,  and  to 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  131 

relieve  the  fatigue,  which  tliey  had  undergone  that  day 
in  his  defence,  though  they  used  for  these  purposes  the 
sacred  contents  of  the  imperial  cellar. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  the  cavalry  of  the  army  were  dis- 
patched in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive  Arabs ;  and  having 
succeeded  in  driving  them  behind  the  chain  of  hills  wliicli 
had  so  recently  divided  them  from  the  Romans,  the  im- 
perial arms  might  justly  be  considered  as  having  obtained 
a  complete  and  glorious  victory. 

"  We  are  now  to  mention  the  rejoicings  of  the  citizens 
of  Laodicea,  who  having  witnessed  from  their  ramparts, 
with  alternate  fear  and  hope,  the  fluctuations  of  the  battle, 
now  descended  to  congratulate  the  imperial  conqueror." 

Here  the  fair  narrator  was  interrupted.  The  principal 
entrance  of  the  apartment  flew  open,  noiselessly  indeed, 
but  with  both  folding  leaves  at  once,  not  as  if  to  accom- 
modate the  entrance  of  an  ordinary  courtier,  studying  to 
create  as  little  disturbance  as  possible,  but  as  if  there 
was  entering  a  person,  who  ranked  so  high  as  to  make 
it  inditFerent  how  much  attention  was  drawn  to  his  mo- 
tions. It  could  only  be  one  born  in  the  purple,  or  nearly 
allied  to  it,  to  whom  such  freedom  was  lawful;  and  most 
of  the  guests,  knowing  who  were  likely  to  appear  in  that 
Temple  of  the  Muses,  anticipated  from  the  degree  of 
bustle,  the  arrival  of  Nicephorus  Briennius,  the  son-in- 
law  of  Alexius  Comnenus,  the  husband  to  the  fair  his- 
torian, and  in  the  rank  of  Caesar,  which,  however,  did 
not  at  that  period  imply,  as  in  early  ages,  the  dignity  of 
second  person  in  the  empire.  The  policy  of  Alexius  had 
interposed  more  than  one  person  of  condition  between 
the  CaBsar  and  his  original  rights  and  rank,  which  had 
once  been  second  to  those  only  of  the  Emperor  himself. 


132  WAVKUI-KV    NOVKI.S. 


CHAPTER    V. 

The  storm  increaaes — 'tis  no  sunnj'  showor, 
Fostor'd  in  the  moist  brvast  of  Mnroh  or  April, 
Or  surh  OS  pnrohocl  Siitiiincr  cools  lii.x  lip  with : 
Heaven's  windows  an-  Hung  widp;  the  inmost  deeps 
Call  in  hoarse  greeting  one  upon  another; 
On  conies  the  flood  in  all  its  roaming  horrors. 
And  Where's  the  dike  shall  stop  it  I 

Tdb  Demjoe,  a  Po'tn. 

TiiK  (li.-liiij:ui>liiMl  individual  who  entered  was  a  noble 
Grecian,  of  stately  presence,  whose  liahit  was  adorned 
with  every  mark  of  dignity,  saving  those  which  Alexius 
had  declared  sai'red  to  tiie  Emperor's  own  person  and 
tlial  (if  the  iSebastocrator,  whom  he  had  established  as  next 
ill  rank  to  the  head  of  tht;  empire.  Nicephorus  Jiriennius, 
who  was  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  retained  all  tlie  marks  of 
that  manly  beauty  which  ha«l  maile  the  match  acccpt- 
al)le  to  Anna  Coiniiena;  while  political  consiflerations, 
and  the  desire  of  attacliing  a  powiiful  hou-e  as  friendly 
adln'rent-  <>t  tlw  llirone.  rreoniineiiijed  the  union  to  the 
Emperor. 

Wi-  have  already  hiiiled  that  the  \n\;\\  l)ride  had, 
though  in  no  great  degree,  the  very  doubtful  advantage 
of  years.  Of  her  literary  talents  we  have  seen  tokens. 
Yet  it  wa~  not  believed  by  those  who  best  knew,  that, 
with  the  aicl  of  thftse  claims  to  respect,  Anna  (^omnena 
was  successful  in  j)ossessing  the  uidimited  attachment  of 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  133 

her  handsome  husband.  To  treat  her  with  apparent  neg- 
lect, her  connexion  with  the  crown  rendered  impossible  ; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  power  of  Nicephorus's  family 
was  too  great  to  permit  his  being  dictated  to  even  by  the 
Emperor  himself.  lie  was  possessed  of  talents,  as  it  was 
believed,  calculated  both  for  war  and  peace.  His  advice 
was,  therefore,  listened  to,  and  his  assistance  required,  so 
that  he  claimed  complete  liberty  with  respect  to  his  own 
time,  which  he  sometimes  used  with  less  regular  attend- 
ance upon  the  Temple  of  the  Muses,  than  the  goddess  of 
the  place  thought  herself  entitled  to,  or  than  the  Empress 
Irene  was  disposed  to  exact  on  the  part  of  her  daughter. 
The  good-humoui'ed  Alexius  observed  a  sort  of  neutrality 
in  this  matter,  and  kept  it  as  much  as  possible  from  be- 
coming visible  to  the  public,  conscious  that  it  required  the 
whole  united  strength  of  his  family  to  maintain  his  place 
in  so  agitated  an  empire. 

He  pressed  his  son-in-law's  hand,  as  Nicephorus,  pass- 
ing his  father-in-law's  seat,  bent  his  knee  in  token  of 
homage.  The  constrained  manner  of  the  Empress  indi- 
cated a  more  cold  reception  of  her  son-in-law,  while  the 
fair  muse  herself  scarcely  deigned  to  signify  her  attention 
to  his  arx'ival,  when  her  handsome  mate  assumed  the 
vacant  seat  by  her  side,  which  we  have  already  made 
mention  of. 

There  was  an  awkward  pause,  during  which  the  impe- 
rial son-in-law,  coldly  received  when  he  expected  to  be 
welcomed,  attempted  to  enter  into  some  light  conversation 
with  the  fair  slave  Astarte,  who  knelt  behind  her  mistress. 
This  was  interrupted  by  the  Princess  commanding  her 
attendant  to  enclose  the  manuscript  within  its  appropriate 
casket,  and  convey  it  with  her  own  hands  to  the  cabinet 
of  Apollo,  the  usual  scene  of  the  Princess's  studies,  as  the 


184  M'VVKJil.KY    NOVK.I.S. 

Tcmiil<*  of  tlir  Muses  was  tliat  coiiimonly  dfvlicatpfl  to 
her  recitations. 

The  ljii|icror  liiin<cir  was  tlie  first  to  break  an  un- 
pleasant silence.  "  Fair  son-in-law,"  he  said,  "  lliouph  it 
now  wears  something  late  in  the  night,  yon  will  do  your- 
self wrong  if  you  permit  our  Anna  to  send  away  that 
volume,  with  which  this  company  have  been  so  delectably 
entertained  that  they  may  well  say,  that  the  desert  hath 
produced  roses,  and  the  barren  rocks  have  poured  forth 
milk  and  honey,  so  agreeable  is  the  narrative  of  a  toil- 
some and  dangerous  campaign,  in  the  language  of  our 
daught<'i'." 

"  The  Ca-sar,"  said  the  Km])ress,  "  .seems  to  have  little 
taste  fur  such  dainties  as  this  family  can  produce.  He 
hath  of  late  repeatedly  absent<Ml  himself  from  this  Temple 
of  the  Muses,  and  found  doubtless  more  agreeable  conver- 
.•iation  and  amu.sement  elsewhere." 

"  I  trust,  madam,"  said  Nicephorus,  "  that  my  ttvate 
may  vindicate  me  from  the  charge  implied.  But  it  is 
natural  that  our  sacred  father  should  be  most  delighted 
with  the  milk  and  honey  which  is  produced  for  his  own 
special  use." 

The  Princess  spoke  in  the  tone  of  a  handsome  woman 
offended  liy  her  lover,  and  feeling  the  offence,  yet  not 
indisposed   to  a  reconciliation. 

"If,"  she  said,  "llie  deeds  of  iS'icephorus  Briennius  are 
less  frecjuently  celebrated  in  that  j)oor  roll  of  parciiinent 
than  those  of  my  illustrious  father,  he  must  do  me  the 
justice  to  remember  that  such  wius  his  own  special  re- 
quest ;  either  proceeding  from  that  modesty  which  is 
justly  ascribed  to  him  as  serving  to  soften  and  adorn  his 
other  attributes,  or  because  b<'  with  justice  distrusts  his 
wife's  power  to  compose  tlieir  <  nlogium." 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  135 

"  We  will  then  summon  back  Astarte,"  said  the  Em- 
press, "who  cannot  yet  have  carried  her  offering  to  the 
cabinet  of  Apollo." 

"  With  your  imperial  pleasure,"  said  Nicephorus,  "  it 
might  incense  the  Pythian  god  were  a  deposit  to  be 
recalled  of  which  he  alone  can  titly  estimate  the  value. 
I  came  hither  to  speak  with  the  Emperor  upon  pressing 
affairs  of  state,  and  not  to  hold  a  literary  conversation 
with  a  company  which  I  must  needs  say  is  something  of  a 
miscellaneous  description,  since  I  behold  an  ordinary  life- 
guardsman  in  the  imperial  circle." 

"  By  the  rood,  son-in-law,"  said  Alexius,  "  you  do  this 
gallant  man  wrong.  He  is  the  brother  of  that  brave 
Anglo-Dane  who  secured  the  victory  at  Laodicea  by  his 
valiant  conduct  and  death  ;  he  himself  is  that  Edmund — 
or  Edward — or  Hereward — to  whom  we  are  ever  bound 
for  securing  the  success  of  that  victorious  day.  He  was 
called  into  our  presence,  son-in-law,  since  it  imports  that 
you  should  know  so  much,  to  refresh  the  memory  of  my 
Follower,  Achilles  Tatius,  as  well  as  mine  own,  concern- 
hig  some  transactions  of  the  day  of  which  we  had  become 
in  some  degree  oblivious." 

"  Truly,  imperial  sir,"  answered  Briennius,  "  I  grieve 
that,  by  having  intruded  on  such  important  researches, 
I  may  have,  in  some  degree,  intercepted  a  portion  of  that 
light  which  is  to  illuminate  future  ages.  Methinks  that 
in  a  battle-field,  fought  under  your  imperial  guidance, 
and  that  of  your  great  captains,  your  evidence  might  well 
supersede  the  testimony  of  such  a  man  as  this. — Let  me 
know,"  he  added,  turning  haughtily  to  the  Varangian, 
"  what  particular  thou  canst  add,  that  is  unnoticed  in  the 
Princess's  narrative  ?  " 

The  Varangian  replied  instantly,  "  Only  that  when  we 


186  WAVKIJI.KY    N(»VKI,S. 

made  a  Imlt  at  tin-  tountaiii,  (lie  nm>ic  tliat  was  (here 
made  by  the  ladies  of"  the  Kinp*  ror's  hoiiseliokl,  and  par- 
ticularly by  those  two  whom  I  now  behold,  was  tin-  most 
exquisite  that  ever  reached  my  ears." 

*'  Hah  I  darest  thou  to  speak  so  audacious  an  opinion?" 
exclaimed  Nicephorus;  "is  it  for  such  as  thou  to  suppose 
for  a  moment  that  the  music  whicli  the  wife  and  daughter 
of  the  Emperor  miglit  condescend  to  make,  was  intended 
to  afford  either  matter  of  pleasure  or  of  criticism  to  every 
[)lebeian  ]>arliariaii  who  might  hear  them  ?  Begone  from 
this  place  I  nor  dare,  on  any  pretext,  again  to  appear  be- 
fore mine  ('}(•> — under  allowance  always  of  our  imperial 
father's  pleasure," 

The  Varangian  bent  his  looks  upon  Achilles  Tatius,  as 
the  person  from  whom  he  was  to  take  his  orders  to  stay 
or  withdraw.  But  the  Emperor  himself  took  up  the 
subject  with  considendde  dignity. 

"  Son,"  he  said,  "  we  cannot  permit  this.  On  account 
of  some  love  rpiarrel.  as  it  would  seem,  betwixt  you  and 
our  daughter,  you  allow  yourself  strangely  to  forget  our 
imperial  rank,  and  to  order  from  our  j)resence  those 
whom  we  liave  plea-ed  to  call  to  attend  us.  This  is 
neither  riglit  nor  seemly,  nor  is  it  our  pleasure  that  this 
same  TIereward — or  Edward — or  whatever  be  his  name 
— either  leave  us  at  this  present  moment,  or  <lo  at  any 
time  hereafter  regidate  himself  by  any  commands  save 
our  own,  or  those  of  our  Follower.  Achilles  Tatius.  And 
now,  allowing  thi>  fooli-h  affair,  which  I  think  was  blown 
among  us  by  the  wiml,  to  jiass  as  it  eam<',  without  farther 
notice,  we  crave  to  know  the  grave  matters  of  state  which 
brought  you  to  our  presenci>  at  so  late  an  hour. — You 
look  again  :it  this  Varangian. — Withhold  not  your  words, 
I  pray  you,  on  account  of  his  j»resence  ;  for  he  -taruls  as 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  137 

high  in  our  trust,  and  we  are  convinced  with  as  good 
reason,  as  any  counsellor  who  has  been  sworn  our  do- 
mestic servant." 

"  To  hear  is  to  obey,"  returned  the  Emperor's  son-in- 
law,  who  saw  that  Alexius  was  somewhat  moved,  and 
knew  that  in  such  cases  it  was  neither  safe  nor  expedient 
to  drive  him  to  extremity.  "  What  I  have  to  say,"  con- 
tinued he,  "  must  so  soon  be  pubHc  news,  that  it  little 
matters  who  hears  it ;  and  yet  the  West,  so  full  of  strange 
changes,  never  sent  to  the  Eastern  half  of  the  globe  tid- 
ings so  alarming  as  those  I  now  come  to  tell  your  Im- 
perial Highness.  Europe,  to  borrow  an  expression  from 
this  lady,  who  honours  me  by  calling  me  husband,  seems 
loosened  from  its  foundations  and  about  to  precipitate 
itself  upon  Asia  " 

"  So  I  did  express  myself,"  said  the  Princess  Anna 
Comnena,  "and,  as  I  trust,  not  altogether  unforcibly, 
when  we  first  heard  that  the  wild  impulse  of  those  rest- 
less barbarians  of  Europe  had  driven  a  tempest  as  of  a 
thousand  nations  upon  our  western  frontier,  with  the  ex- 
travagant purpose,  as  they  pretended,  of  possessing  them- 
selves of  Syi-ia,  and  the  holy  places  there  marked  as  the 
sepulchres  of  prophets,  the  martyrdom  of  saints,  and  the 
great  events  detailed  in  the  blessed  gospel.  But  that 
storm,  by  all  accounts  hath  burst  and  passed  away,  and 
we  well  hoped  that  the  danger  had  gone  with  it.  De- 
voutly shall  we  sorrow  to  find  it  otherwise." 

''And  otherwise  we  must  expect  to  find  it,"  said  her 
husband.  "  It  is  very  true,  as  reported  to  us,  that  a  huge ' 
body  of  men  of  low  rank,  and  little  understanding,  assumed' 
arms  at  the  instigation  of  a  mad  hermit,  and  took  the  road 
from  Germany  to  Hungary,  expecting  miracles  to  be 
wrought    in    their   favour,    as    when    Israel   was  guided 


138  WAVKIfLKY    NOVKLS. 

through  the  wilderness  l»y  a  pilhir  <if  llaiiu;  jind  a  cloud. 
But  no  showers  of  manna  or  of  (|uails  relifved  their  neces- 
sities, or  j)r(ic]ainird  tliein  the  chosen  people  of  God.  No 
waters  gushed  from  th(!  roek  for  their  refreshment.  They 
were  enraged  at  their  sufferings,  and  endeavoured  to  ob- 
tain supplies  by  pillaging  the  country.  The  Hungarians, 
and  other  nations  on  our  western  frontiers,  Christians, 
like  themselves,  did  not  hesitate  to  fall  upon  this  disor- 
derly rabble ;  and  immense  j)iles  of  bones,  in  wild  pjisses 
and  unfrequented  deserts,  attest  the  calamitous  defeats 
which  extirpated  these  unholy  pilgrims." 

"All  this,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  we  knew  before  ; — but 
what  new  evil  now  threatens,  since  we  have  already 
escaped  so  important  a  one  ?  " 

"  Knew  before  ?  "  saitl  the  Prince  Nieephorus.  "  We 
knew  nothing  of  our  real  danger  before,  save  that  a  wild 
herd  of  animals,  as  brutal  and  as  furious  as  wild  bulls, 
threatened  to  bend  their  way  to  a  pasture  for  which  they 
had  formed  a  fancy,  and  deluged  the  Grecian  em|)ire,  and 
it^  vicinity,  in  their  passage,  expecting  that  Palestine, 
with  its  streams  of  milk  and  honey,  once  more  awaited 
them,  as  God's  predestined  people.  But  so  wild  and  dis- 
orderly an  invasion  had  no  terrors  for  a  eivilizcd  nation 
like  the  Romans.  The  l»rule  herd  was  tt-rrilied  by  our 
Greek  fire;  it  was  snared  and  shot  tlown  l)y  the  wild 
nations  who,  while  they  pretend  to  independence,  cover 
our  frontier  as  with  a  [)roteeting  forlilication.  The  vile 
niiiliitii(l<'  has  been  consumed  even  by  the  very  quality 
ol  the  provisions  thrown  in  their  way, — those  wise  means 
of  resistance  which  were  at  once  suggested  by  the  paternal 
(»re  of  the  Kmperor,  and  by  his  unfailing  policy.  Thus 
wisdom  liivs  played  its  part,  and  the  baik.  <iver  which  the 
tempest  had  pound    it-    tlnnidei-.    ha-  exiipid.    mtlwith- 


COUNT    KOliKRT    OP    I'AUIS.  139 

standinjT  all  its  violence.  But  the  second  storm,  by  which 
the  former  is  so  closely  followed,  is  of  a  new  descent  of 
these  western  nations,  more  formidable  than  any  which 
we  or  our  fathers  have  yet  seen.  This  consists  not  of  the 
ignorant  or  of  the  fanatical — not  of  the  base,  the  needy, 
and  the  improvident.  Now, — all  that  wide  Europe  pos- 
sesses of  what  is  wise  and  worthy,  brave  and  noble,  are 
united  by  the  most  religious  vows,  in  the  same  purpose." 

"And  what  is  that  purpose  ?  Speak  plainly,"  said 
Alexius.  "  The  destruction  of  our  whole  Roman  empire, 
and  the  blotting  out  the  very  name  of  its  chief  from 
among  the  princes  of  the  earth,  among  which  it  has  long 
been  predominant,  can  alone  be  an  adequate  motive  for  a 
confederacy  such  as  thy  speech  infers." 

"  No  such  design  is  avowed,"  said  Nicephorus ;  "  and' 
so  many  princes,  vi^ise  men,  and  statesmen  of  eminence, 
aim,  it  is  pretended,  at  nothing  else  than  the  same  ex- 
travagant purpose  announced  by  the  brute  multitude  who 
first  appeared  in  these  regions.  Here,  most  gracious  Em- 
peror, is  a  scroll,  in  which  you  will  find  marked  down  a 
list  of  the  various  armies  which,  by  different  routes,  are 
approaching  the  vicinity  of  the  empire.  Behold,  Hugh 
of  Vermandois,  called  from  his  dignity  Hugh  the  Great, 
has  set  sail  from  the  shores  of  Italy..  Twenty  knights 
have  already  announced  their  coming,  sheathed  in  armour 
of  steel,  inlaid  with  gold,  bearing  this  proud  greeting : — 
'  Let  the  Emperor  of  Greece,  and  his  lieutenants,  under- 
stand that  Hugo,  Earl  of  Vermandois,  is  approaching  his 
territories.  He  is  brother  to  the  king  of  kings — The 
King  of  France,*  namely; — and  is  attended  by  the  flower 

*  Ducange  pours  out  a  whole  ocean  of  authorities  to  show  that  the 
King  of  France  was  in  those  days  styled  Rex,  by  way  of  eminence. 
See  his  notes  on  the  Alexiad.     Anna  Comnena,  in  her  history,  makes 


140  W'AVKUI-KY    NOVKLS. 

of  tilt'  French  noliilily.  lie  bears  the  blessed  hanner  of 
St.  Peter,  intrusted  to  his  vielorions  care  by  th<^  holy 
successor  of  tlu-  apostle,  and  warns  thee  of  all  this,  that 
thou  niayst  provide  a  reeeption  suitable  to  his  rank.'" 

"Here  are  soundinj^  words,"  said  the  Einpi.'ror ;  "but 
tilt;  wind  wliich  whittles  loudest  is  not  always  most  danger- 
ous to  the  vessel.  We  know  something  of  this  nation  of 
France,  and  have  heard  more.  They  are  as  petulant  at 
least  as  they  are  valiant ;  we  will  flatter  their  vanity  till 
we  get  time  and  opportunity  for  more  effectual  defence. 
Tush !  if  words  can  pay  debt,  tliere  is  no  fear  of  our 
exchequer  becoming  insolvent. — What  follows  here,  Ni- 
cephorus  ?  A  list,  I  suppose,  of  the  followers  of  this  gnsat 
count  ? " 

"  My  liege,  no  !  "  answered  Nieephorus  Briennius  ;  "  so 
maiij  independent  chiefs,  as  your  Imperial  Highness  sees 
in  that  memorial,  so  many  independent  European  armies 
are  advancing  by  difl^erent  routes  towards  the  East,  and 
announce  the  conquest  of  Palestine  from  the  inOdels  as 
their  common  object." 

"  A  dreadful  enumeration,"  said  the  Emperor,  as  he 
perused  the  list  ;  "  yet  so  far  happy,  that  its  very  length 
assures  us  of  the  inqiossiliility  that  so  many  princes  can 
be  seriously  and  consistently  united  in  so  wild  a  project. 
Thus  already  my  eyes  catch  the  well-known  name  of  an 
old  friend,  our  enemy — for  such  are  the  alternate  chances 
of  peace  and  war — Kohemond  of  Antioch.  Is  not  he 
the  son  of  the  celebrati-d  Kolurt  of  Ajiulia,  s(»  rcnowiK-d 
among  his  countrymen,  who  raised  himself  lo  tin;  rank 
of  grand  duke  from  a  .-imple  cavalier,  and  became  sover- 

llu^'h  of  Vermiirxiois  iissunie  to  himself  the  titles  wliicli  ronM  only,  in 
the  most  ei)thuHia«tic  Fronchmim's  opinion,  have  liccn  cliiimeil  by  his 
elJer  brother,  the  reigning  moniircli. 


COUNT    ROUERT    OF    PARIS.  141 

eign  of  those  of  liis  warlike  nation,  both  in  Sicily  and 
Italy?  Did  not  the  standards  of  the  German  Elmperor, 
of  the  Roman  Pontiff,  nay,  our  own  imjjerial  banners, 
give  way  before  him;  until,  equally  a  wily  statesman  and 
a  brave  Avarrior,  he  became  the  terror  of  Europe,  from 
being  a  knight  whose  Norman  castle  would  have  been 
easily  garrisoned  by  six  cross-bows,  and  as  many  lances? 
It  is  a  dreadful  family,  a  race  of  craft  as  well  as  power. 
But  Bohemond,  the  son  of  old  Robert,  will  follow  his 
father's  politics.  He  may  talk  of  Palestine  and  of  the 
interests  of  Christendom,  but  if  I  can  make  his  interests 
the  same  with  mine,  he  is  not  likely  to  be  guided  by  any 
other  object.  So  then,  with  the  knowledge  I  already 
possess  of  his  wishes  and  projects,  it  may  chance  that 
Heaven  sends  us  an  ally  in  the  guise  of  an  enemy. — 
Whom  have  we  next  ?  Godfrey  *  Duke  of  Bouillon — 
leading,  I  see,  a  most  formidable  band  from  the  banks  of 
a  huge  river  called  the  Rhine.  What  is  this  person's 
character  ?  " 

"  As  we  hear,"  replied  Nicephorus,  "  this  Godfrey  is 
one  of  the  wisest,  noblest,  and  bravest  of  the  leaders  who 
have  thus  strangely  put  themselves  in  motion ;  and  among 
a  hst  of  independent  princes,  as  many  in  number  as  those 
who  assembled  for  the  siege  of  Troy,  and  followed,  most 
of  them,  by  subjects  ten  times  more  numerous,  this  God- 
frey may  be  regarded  as  the  Agamemnon.  The  princes 
and  counts  esteem  him,  because  he  is  the  foremost  in  the 
ranks  of  those  whom  they  fantastically  call  Knights,  and 
also  on  account  of  the  good  faith  and  generosity  which 
he  practises  in  all  his  transactions.     The  clergy  give  him 

*  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  Duke  of  Lower  Lorraine — the  gi'eat  Captain 
of  the  first  Crusade,  afterwards  King  of  Jerusalem.  See  Gibbon, — 
or  Mills,  passim. 


142  W.VVr.KLKV    NOVI'.LS. 

i^redit  for  the  highest  zeal  for  the  doctrines  of  religion, 
and  a  corresponding  respect  for  the  Church  and  its  digni- 
taries. Justice,  liberality,  and  frankness,  have  equally 
attached  to  this  Godfrey  the  lower  class  of  the  jK'ople. 
His  general  attention  to  moral  obligations  is  a  pledge  to 
them  that  his  religion  is  real ;  and,  gifted  with  so  much 
that  is  excellent,  he  is  already,  although  inferior  in  rank, 
birth,  and  power  to  many  chiefs  of  the  crusade,  justly 
regarded  as  one  of  its  principal  leaders." 

"  Pity,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  that  a  character  such  as 
you  describe  this  Prince  to  be,  should  be  under  the 
dominion  of  a  fanaticism  scarce  worthy  of  Peter  the 
Hermit,  or  the  clownish  multitude  which  he  led,  or  of  the 
very  ass  which  he  rode  upon  !  which  I  am  apt  to  think 
the  wisest  of  the  first  multitude  whom  we  beheld,  seeing 
that  it  ran  away  towards  Europe  as  soon  as  water  and 
barley  became  scarce." 

"  Might  I  be  permitted  here  to  speak,  and  yet  live," 
said  Agelastes,  "  I  would  remark  that  tin;  Patriarch  him- 
self made  a  similar  retreat  so  soon  as  blows  became 
plenty  and  food  scarce." 

"  Thou  hast  hit  it,  Agelastes,"  said  the  Emperor  ;  "  but 
the  question  now  is,  whether  an  honourable  and  impor- 
tant {)rincipality  could  not  be  formed  out  of  part  of  the 
provinces  of  the  Lesser  Asia,  nqw  laid  waste  by  the 
Turks.  Such  a  principality,  methinks,  with  its  varif)us 
advantages  of  soil,  climate,  iinhistrious  inhabitants,  and  a 
healthy  atmosphere,  were  well  wortii  tin-  morasses  of 
Bouillon.  It  might  be  held  as  a  dependence  upon  the 
sacred  Roman  empire,  and  garrisoned,  as  it  were,  by 
Godfrey  and  hi-;  victorious  Franks,  would  be  a  bulwark 
on  that  point  to  our  just  and  sacred  person.  Hal  ino-:t 
li(rly  Patriarch,  would  not  such  a  pro-;poct  shake  the  most 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  143 

devout  Crusader's  attachment  to  the  burning  sands  of 
Palestine  ?  " 

"  Especially,"  answered  the  Patriarch,  "  if  the  prince 
for  whom  such  a  rich  theme  *  was  changed  into  a  feudal 
appanage,  should  be  previously  converted  to  the  only  true 
faith,  as  your  Imperial  Highness  undoubtedly  means." 

"  Certainly — most  unquestionably,"  answered  the  Em- 
peror, with  a  due  affectation  of  gravity,  notwithstanding 
he  was  internally  conscious  how  often  he  had  been  com- 
pelled, by  state  necessities,  to  admit,  not  only  Latin 
Christians,  but  Manicheans,  and  other  heretics,  nay, 
Mahometan  barbarians,  into  the  number  of  his  subjects, 
and  that  without  experiencing  opposition  from  the  scru- 
ples of  the  Patriarch.  "  Here  I  find,"  continued  the 
Emperor,  "  such  a  numerous  list  of  princes  and  princi- 
palities in  the  act  of  approaching  our  boundaries,  as 
might  well  rival  the  armies  of  old,  who  were  said  to  have 
drunk  up  rivers,  exhausted  realms,  and  trode  down 
forests,  in  their  wasteful  advance."  As  he  pronounced 
these  words,  a  shade  of  paleness  came  over  the  Im- 
perial brow,  similar  to  that  which  had  already  clothed 
in  sadness  most  of  his  counsellors. 

"  This  war  of  nations,"  said  Nicephorus,  "  has  also 
circumstances  distinguishing  it  from  every  other,  save 
that  which  his  Imperial  Highness  hath  waged  in  former 
times  against  those  whom  we  are  accustomed  to  call 
Franks.  We  must  go  forth  against  a  people  to  whom 
the  strife  of  combat  is  as  the  breath  of  their  nostrils ; 
who,  rather  than  not  be  engaged  in  war,  will  do  battle 
with  their  nearest  neighbours,  and  challenge  each  other 
to  mortal  fight,  as  much  in  sport  as  we  would  defy  a 
comrade  to  a  chariot  race.  They  are  co\'Tered  with  an 
*  The  provinces  were  called  Themes. 


114  WA\lltl,l/i      NOV  I,  I, S. 

iiiipoiiulraljl(!  armour  of  •«litl.  (1(  IciKliiii;  tliciii  from  blows 
of  the  lance  ami  swonl,  aiul  wliicli  tlic  nucoininon 
strength  of  thrir  horses  renders  them  able  to  support, 
though  one  of  ours  could  as  well  bear  Mount  Olympus 
upon  his  loin<.  Tlieir  foot-ranks  carry  a  missile  weapon 
unknown  to  us,  termed  an  arl>elast,  or  crossbow.  It  is 
not  drawn  with  the  right  hand,  like  the  bow  of  other 
nations,  but  by  placing  the  feet  upon  the  weapon  itself, 
and  pulling  with  the  whole  force  of  the  body ;  and  it 
dispatches  arrows  called  bolts,  of  hard  wood  pointed  with 
iron,  which  the.  strength  of  the  bow  can  send  through  the 
strongest  breastplates,  and  even  through  stone  walls, 
where  not  of  uncommon  thickness." 

"  Enough,"  said  the  Emperor ;  "  we  have  seen  with 
our  own  eyes  the  lances  of  Frankish  knights,  and  the 
crossbows  of  their  infantry.  If  Heaven  ha-  allotted 
them  a  degree  of  l)ravery,  which  to  other  nations  seems 
wellnigh  preternatural,  tin;  Divine  will  has  given  to  the 
Greek  councils  that  wisdom  which  it  hath  refused  to  bar- 
barians ;  the  art  of  achieving  conquest  by  wisdom  rather 
than  brute  force — obtaining  by  our  skill  in  treaty  advan- 
tages which  victory  itself  could  not  have  procured.  If 
we  have  not  the  use  of  that  dreadful  weapon,  which  our 
son-in-law  terms  the  crossbow,  Heaven,  in  its  favour, 
has  concealed  from  these  western  barl)arians  the  composi- 
tion and  use  of  the  Greek  fire — well  so  called,  since  by 
Grecian  hands  alone  it  is  prepared,  and  bv  -ncli  only  can 
its  lightnings  he  darte(l  upon  the  astonished  li)c."  The 
Emperor  paused,  and  looked  around  him  ;  and  although 
the  faces  of  his  counsellors  still  h)oked  blank.  Iir  Itoldly 
proceeded  :  "  lint  to  return  yet  again  to  this  black  scroll, 
containing  the  names  of  those  nations  who  approach  our 
frontier,  hrre  oci-iir  more   than   one  with  wliicli,  nii-lliinks, 


COUNT    ROBEUT    OP    I'AUIS.  145 

old  memory  should  make  us  ftimiliar,  though  our  recollec- 
tions are  distant  and  confused.  It  becomes  us  to  know 
who  these  men  are,  that  we  may  avail  ourselves  of  those 
feuds  and  quarrels  among  them,  which,  being  blown  into 
life,  may  happily  divert  them  from  the  prosecution  of  this 
extraordinary  attempt  in  which  they  are  now  united. 
Here  is,  for  example,  one  Robert,  styled  Duke  of  Nor- 
mandy, who  commands  a  goodly  band  of  counts,  with 
which  title  we  are  but  too  well  acquainted  ;  of  earls,  a 
word  totally  strange  to  us,  but  apparently  some  barbaric 
title  of  honour;  and  of  knights,  whose  names  are  com- 
pounded, as  we  think,  chiefly  of  the  French  language,  but 
also  of  another  jargon,  which  we  are  not  ourselves  com- 
petent to  understand.  To  you,  most  reverend  and  most 
learned  Patriarch,  we  may  fittest  apply  for  information  on 
this  subject." 

"The  duties  of  my  station,"  replied  the  patriarch 
Zosimus,  "  have  withheld  my  riper  years  from  studying 
the  histoi-y  of  distant  realms;  but  the  wise  Agelastes, 
who  hath  read  as  many  volumes  as  would  fill  the  shelves 
of  the  famous  Alexandrian  library,  can  no  doubt  satisfy 
your  Imperial  Majesty's  inquiries." 

Agelastes  erected  himself  on  those  enduring  legs  which 
had  procured  him  the  surname  of  Elephant,  and  began  a 
reply  to  the  inquiries  of  the  Emperor,  rather  remarkable 
for  readiness  than  accuracy.  *'  I  have  read,"  said  he,  "  in 
that  brilliant  mirror  which  reflects  the  time  of  our  fathers, 
the  volumes  of  the  learned  Procopius,  that  the  people 
separately  called  Normans  and  Angles  are  in  truth  the 
same  race,  and  that  Normandy,  sometimes  so  called,  is  in 
fact  a  part  of  a  district  of  Gaul.  Beyond,  and  nearly 
opposite  to  it,  but  separated  by  an  arm  of  the  sea,  lies  a 
ghastly  region,  on  which  clouds  and  tempests  for  ever 

VOL.    XLVII.  10 


J  46  WAVKKI,KY    NOVKI.S. 

i-est,  and  which  is  \vt;ll  known  to  its  continental  neigh- 
bours as  tlic  abode  to  wliich  departed  spirits  arc  sent 
after  this  life.  On  one  side  of  the  strait  dwell  a  few 
fishermen,  men  possessed  of  a"  strange  charter,  and  en- 
joying singular  privileges,  in  consideration  of  their  being 
the  living  f(Tr3'men  who,  performing  the  ofliee  of  the 
heatlicn  Cliaron  carry  the  spirits  of  the  departed  to  the 
island  which  i<  their  residence  after  death.  At  the  dead 
of  night,  these  fishermen  are,  in  rotation,  summoned  to 
perform  the  duty  by  which  tiiey  seem  to  hold  the  permis- 
sion to  reside  on  this  strange  coast.  A  knock  is  heard  at 
the  door  of  his*  cottage  who  holds  the  turn  of  this  singular 
service,  sounded  by  no  iiKulal  hnnd.  A  whis])ering,  as 
of  a  decaying  breeze,  summons  the  ferryman  to  his  duty. 
He  hastens  to  his  bark  on  the  sea-shore,  and  has  no 
sooner  launched  it  than  In,'  perceives  its  hull  sink  sensibly 
in  the  water,  so  as  to  express  the  weight  of  the  dead  with 
whom  it  is  filled.  No  form  is  seen,  and  (hough  voices 
are  heard,  yet  the  accents  are  imdi<tingui>hal)le,  as  of 
one  who  speaks  in  his  sleep.  Thus  he  traverses  the 
strait  between  the  continent  and  the  island,  impressed 
with  I  he  mysterious  awe  which  aflfects  the  living  when 
they  are  conscious  of  the  presence  of  the  dead.  They 
arrive  uf)on  the  opposite  coast,  where  the  cliff-<  of  white 
chalk  form  a  strange  contrast  with  the  eternal  darkness 
of  the  atmosphere.  They  stop  at  a  landing-place  ap- 
pointed, but  disembark  not,  for  the  land  is  never  trodden 
by  earthly  ffct.  Hen'  tin-  j)assage-boat  is  gradually 
light<;ned  of  its  nneurthly  inmates,  who  wander  forth  in 
the  way  a])poiiitril  to  thrm.  while  llir  iiiarincrs  slowly 
return  to  their  own  side  of  the  strait,  having  per- 
formed for  the  lime  this  singular  service,  by  wliich 
they    hold    their    fi-liiiig-huts    and     their    possessions    on 


COUNT    ROrJKUT    OF    PARIS.  147 

that  strange  coast."  Here  he  ceased,  and  the  Emperor 
replied, — 

"  If  this  legend  be  actually  told  us  by  Procopius,  most 
learned  Agelastes,  it  shows  that  that  celebrated  historian 
came  more  near  the  heathen  than  the  Chi'istian  belief 
respecting  the  future  state.  In  truth,  this  is  little  more 
than  the  old  fable  of  the  infernal  Styx.  Procopius,  we 
believe,  lived  before  the  decay  of  heathenism,  and,  as  we 
would  gladly  disbelieve  much  which  he  hath  told  us  re- 
specting our  ancestor  and  predecessor  Justinian,  so  we 
will  not  pay  him  much  credit  in  future  in  point  of 
geographical  knowledge. — Meanwhile,  what  ails  thee, 
Achilles  Tatius,  and  why  dost  thou  whisper  with  that  sol- 
dier ?  " 

"  My  head,"  answered  Achilles  Tatius,  "  is  at  your 
imperial  command,  prompt  to  pay  for  the  unbecoming 
trespass  of  ray  tongue.  I  did  but  ask  of  this  Hei'eward 
here  what  he  knew  of  this  matter  ;  for  I  have  heard  my 
Varangians  repeatedly  call  themselves  Anglo- Danes,  Nor- 
mans, Britons,  or  some  other  barbaric  epithet,  and  I  am 
sure  that  one  or  other,  or  it  may  be  all,  of  these  bar- 
barous sounds,  at  different  times,  serve  to  designate  the 
birthplace  of  these  exiles,  too  happy  in  being  banished 
from  the  darkness  of  barbarism,  to  the  luminous  vicinity 
of  your  imperial  presence." 

"  Speak,  then,  Varangian,  in  the  name  of  Heaven," 
said  the  Emperor,  "  and  let  us  know  whether  we  are  to 
look  for  friends  or  enemies  in  those  men  of  Normandy 
who  are  now  approaching  our  frontier.  Speak  with 
courage,  man  ;  and  if  thou  apprehendest  danger,  remem- 
ber thou  servest  a  prince  well  qualified  to  protect  thee." 

"Since  I  am  at  liberty  to  speak,"  answered  the  life- 
guardsman,  "  although  my  knowledge  of  the  Greek  Ian- 


148  WAVKIU.KV    NOVELS. 

guage,  wliioli  you  ti-rin  the  Roman,  is  but  slight.  T  trust 
it  is  enough  to  demand  of  his  Imperial  Highness,  in  place 
of  all  pay,  donative,  or  gift  whatsoever,  since  he  has  been 
pleased  to  talk  of  designing  such  for  me,  that  he  would 
place  me  in  the  first  line  of  battle  which  shall  be  formed 
against  these  same  Normans,  and  their  Duke  Robert  ; 
and  if  he  pleases  to  allow  me  the  aid  of  sucii  Varangians 
as,  for  love  of  me,  or  hatred  of  th<'ir  ancient  tyrants,  may 
be  disposed  to  join  their  arms  to  mine,  I  have  little  doubt 
so  to  settle  our  long  accounts  with  these  men,  that  the 
Grecian  eagles  and  wolves  shall  do  them  the  last  office, 
by  tearing  the  flesh  from  their  bones." 

"  What  dreadful  feud  is  this,  my  soldier,"  said  the  Em- 
peror, "  that  after  so  many  years  still  drives  thee  to  such 
extremities  when  the  very  name  of  Normandy  is  men- 
tioned ?  " 

"Your  Imperial  Highness  shall  be  judge!"  said  the 
Varangian.  '•  My  fathers,  and  those  of  most,  though  not 
all  of  the  corps  to  whoni  I  belong,  are  descended  from  a 
valiant  race  who  dwelt  in  the  north  of  Germany,  called 
Anglo-Saxons.  Nobody,  save  a  priest  possessed  of  the 
art  of  consulting  ancient  chronicles,  can  even  guess  how 
long  it  is  since  they  came  to  the  island  of  Britain,  then 
distracted  with  civil  war.  They  came,  however,  on  the 
petition  of  the  natives  of  the  island,  for  the  aid  of  the 
Angles  was  requested  by  the  southern  inhabitants.  Prov- 
inces were  granted  in  recompense  of  the  aid  tlni-  liber- 
ally afforded,  and  the  greater  proportion  of  the  island 
became,  by  degrees,  the  property  of  the  Anglo-Saxons, 
who  occupied  it  at  first  as  several  piincipalitii-.  ami  lat- 
terly as  one  kingdom,  speaking  the  language,  and  <)b-;erv- 
ing  the  laws,  of  most  of  tiuise  who  now  form  your  imperial 
body-guard  of  Varangians,  or  exiles.     In  process  of  time, 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  149 

the  Northmen  became  known  to  the  people  of  the  more 
southern  chmates.  They  were  so  called  from  their 
coming  from  the  distant  regions  of  the  Baltic  Sea — an 
immense  ocean,  sometimes  frozen  with  ice  as  hard  as  the 
cliffs  of  Mount  Caucasus.  They  came  seeking  milder 
regions  than  nature  had  assigned  them  at  home  ;  and  the 
climate  of  France  being  delightful,  and  its  people  slow  in 
battle,  they  extorted  from  them  the  grant  of  a  large  prov- 
ince, which  was,  from  the  name  of  the  new  settlers,  called 
Normandy,  though  I  have  heard  my  father  say  that  was 
not  its  proper  appellation.  They  settled  there  under  a 
Duke,  who  acknowledged  the  superior  authority  of  the 
King  of  France,  that  is  to  say,  obeying  him  when  it 
suited  his  convenience  so  to  do. 

"  Now,  it  chanced  many  years  since,  while  these  two 
nations  of  Normans  and  Anglo-Saxons  were  quietly  re- 
siding upon  different  sides  of  the  salt-water  channel  which 
divides  France  from  England,  that  William,  Duke  of 
Normandy,  suddenly  levied  a  large  army,  came  over  to 
Kent,  which  is  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  channel,  and 
there  defeated,  in  a.  great  battle,  Harold,  who  was  at  that 
time  King  of  the  Anglo-Saxons.  It  is  but  grief  to  tell 
what  followed.  Battles  have  been  fought  in  old  time, 
that  have  had  dreadful  results,  which  years,  nevertheless, 
could  wash  away ;  but  at  Hastings — O  woe's  me  ! — the 
banner  of  my  country  fell,  never  again  to  be  raised  up. 
Oppression  has  driven  her  wheel  over  us.  All  that  was 
valiant  amongst  us  have  left  the  land ;  and  of  English- 
men— for  such  is  our  proper  designation — no  one  remains 
in  England  save  as  the  thrall  of  the  invaders.  Many 
men  of  Danish  descent,  who  had  found  their  way  on  dif- 
ferent occasions  to  England,  were  blended  in  the  common 
calamity.     All  was  laid  desolate  by  the  command  of  the 


150  WAVr.UI.KY    NOVKLS. 

victors.  My  father's  liunie  lies  now  an  umlistinguished 
ruin,  amid  an  oxlcn-ive  forest,  composed  out  of  what 
were  formerly  fair  fields  and  domestic  pastures,  where  a 
manly  race  derived  nourishment  by  cultivating  a  friendly 
soil.  The  fire  has  destroyed  the  church  where  sleep  the 
fathei-s  of  my  race  ;  and  I,  the  last  of  their  line,  am  a 
wanderer  in  other  climates — a  fighter  of  the  battles  of 
others — the  servant  of  a  foreign,  though  a  kind  master ; 
in  a  word,  one  of  the  banished — a  Varangiaii." 

''  Happier  in  that  station,"  said  Achilles  Tatius,  "  than 
in  all  the  barbaric  simplicity  which  your  forefathers 
prized  so  liiglily,  since  you  are  now  under  the  cheering 
influence  of  that  smile  which  is  the  life  of  tlie  world." 

"  It  avails  not  talking  of  this,"  said  the  Varangian, 
with  a  cold  gesture. 

"  These  Normans,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  are  then  the 
people  by  whom  the  celebrated  i>lund  of  I'rilain  is  now 
conquered  and  governed  ?  " 

"It  is  but  too  true,"  answered  the  Varangian. 

"  They  are,  then,  a  brave  and  warlike  people  ?  " — said 
Alexius. 

"It  would  1)1'  base  and  false  to  say  otlierwise  of  an  en- 
emy," said  Hereward.  "Wrong  have  they  done  me,  and 
a  wrong  never  to  be  atf)ned  ;  but  to  speak  falsehood  of 
them  were  but  a  woman's  vengeance.  Mortal  enemies 
as  they  are  to  me,  and  mingling  with  all  my  recollections 
as  that  which  is  hateful  and  odious,  yet  were  the  troops 
of  Europe  mustered,  as  it  seems  they  are  likely  to  be,  no 
nation  or  tribe  dared  in  gallantry  claim  the  advance  of 
the  haughty  Norman." 

"And  this  Duke  Hol)ert,  who  is  he?" 

"  That,"  answered  the  Varangian,  "  I  caMuot  so  well 
explain.     He  is  the  son — the  eldest  son,  as  men  say,  of 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  151 

the  tyrant  William,  who  subdued  England  when  I  hardly 
existed,  or  was  a  child  in  (he  cradle.  That  William,  the 
victor  of  Hastings,  is  now  dead,  we  are  assured  by  con- 
curring testimony ;  but  while  it  seems  his  eldest  son  Duke 
Robert  has  become  his  heir  to  the  Duchy  of  Normandy, 
some  other  of  his  children  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to 
acquire  the  throne  of  England, — unless,  indeed,  like  the 
petty  farm  of  some  obscure  yeoman,  the  fair  kingdom  has 
been  divided  among  the  tyrant's  issue." 

"  Concerning  this,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  we  have  heard 
something,  which  we  shall  try  to  reconcile  with  the  sol- 
dier's narrative  at  leisure,  holding  the  M'ords  of  this  honest 
Varangian  as  positive  proof,  in  whatsoever  he  avers  from 
his  own  knowledge. — And  now,  my  grave  and  worthy 
counsellors,  we  must  close  this  evening's  service  in  the 
Temple  of  the  Muses,  this  distressing  news,  brought  us 
by  our  dearest  son-in-law  the  Csesar,  having  induced  us 
to  prolong  our  worship  of  these  learned  goddesses,  deeper 
into  the  night  than  is  consistent  with  the  health  of  our 
beloved  wife  and  daughter ;  while  to  ourselves,  this  intel- 
ligence brings  subject  for  grave  deliberation." 

The  courtiers  exhausted  their  ingenuity  in  forming  the 
most  ingenious  prayers,  that  all  evil  consequences  should 
be  averted  which  could  attend  this  excessive  vigilance. 

Nicephorus  and  his  fair  bride  spoke  together  as  a  pair 
equally  desirous  to  close  an  accidental  breach  between 
them.  "  Some  things  thou  hast  said,  my  Ciesar,"  ob- 
served the  lady,  "  in  detailing  this  dreadful  intelligence, 
as  elegantly  turned  as  if  the  nine  goddesses,  to  whom  this 
temple  is  dedicated,  had  lent  each  her  aid  to  the  sense 
and  expression." 

"  I  need  none  of  their  assistance,"  answered  Nicepho- 
rus, "  since  I  possess  a  muse  of  my  own,  in  whose  genius 


1«'>2  W.Wl.UI.I.Y    NOVKI.S. 

arc  incliidcd  all  those  attributes  whieh  the  heathens  vainly 
ascribed  to  the  nine  deities  of  Parnassus  ! " 

"  It  is  well,"  said  the  fair  historian,  retiring  by  the 
assistance  of  her  husband's  arm  ;  "  but  if  you  will  load 
your  wife  with  praises  far  b<>yoiid  her  merits,  you  must 
lend  her  your  arm  to  support  her  under  the  weighty  bur- 
den you  have  been  pleased  to  impose."  The  council  parted 
when  the  imperial  persons  had  retired,  and  most  of  them 
sought  to  indemnify  themselves  in  more  free  though  less 
digniGed  circles,  for  the  constraint  which  they  had  prac- 
tised in  the  Temple  of  the  Muses. 


^% 


COUNT    KOBEKT    OF    I'ARIS.  153 


CHAPTER  VL 

Vain  man !  thou  mayst  esteem  thy  love  as  fair 

As  fond  hyperboles  suffice  to  raise. 

She  may  be  all  that's  matchless  iu  her  person, 

And  all-divine  in  soul  to  match  her  body; 

But  take  this  from  me — thou  shalt  never  call  her 

Superior  to  her  sex,  while  one  survives, 

And  I  am  her  true  votary. 

Old  Plat. 

Achilles  Tatius,  with  his  faithful  Varangian  close 
by  his  shoulder,  melted  from  the  dispersing  assembly 
silently  and  almost  invisibly,  as  snow  is  dissolved  from  its 
Alpine  abodes  as  the  days  become  more  genial.  No  lordly 
step,  or  clash  of  armour,  betokened  the  retreat  of  the  mili- 
tary persons.  The  very  idea  of  the  necessity  of  guards 
was  not  ostentatiously  brought  forward,  because,  so  near 
the  presence  of  the  Emperor,  the  emanation,  supposed  to 
flit  around  that  divinity  of  earthly  sovereigns,  had  credit 
for  rendering  it  impassive  and  unassailable.  Thus  the 
oldest  and  most  skilful  courtiers,  among  whom  our  friend 
Agelastes  was  not  to  be  forgotten,  were  of  opinion,  that, 
although  the  Emperor  employed  the  ministry  of  the  Va- 
rangians and  other  guards,  it  was  rather  for  form's  sake, 
than  from  any  danger  of  the  commission  of  a  crime  of  a 
kind  so  heinous,  that  it  was  the  fashion  to  account  it 
almost  impossible.  And  this  doctrine,  of  the  rare  occur- 
rence of  such  a  crime,  was  repeated  from  month  to  month 
in  those  very  chambers,  where  it  had  oftener  than  once 


154  WAVr.KLKY    NOVF.LS. 

been  perpetrated,  and  sometimes  by  tlie  very  persons  who 
montlily  laid  sehemes  for  earrying  some  dark  eonspiracy 
against  tbe  reigning  Emperor  into  positive  execution. 

At  length  the  captain  of  the  hfe-guardsmen,  and  his 
laithtid  attendant,  found  themselves  on  the  outside  of  the 
Blae(iuernal  Palace.  The  passage  which  Achilles  found 
for  iheir  exit,  was  closed  by  a  postern  which  a  single 
Varangian  shut  behind  them,  drawing,  at  the  same  time, 
bolt  and  bar  with  an  ill-omened  and  jarring  sound.  Look- 
ing back  at  the  mass  of  turrets,  battlements,  and  spires, 
out  of  which  they  had  at  length  emerged,  Ilereward  could 
not  but  feel  his  heart  lighten  to  find  himself  once  more 
under  the  deep  blue  of  a  Grecian  heaven,  where  the 
planets  were  burning  with  unusual  lustre.  He  sighed 
and  rubbed  his  hands  with  pleasure,  like  a  man  newly 
restored  to  liberty.  He  even  spoke  to  his  leader,  con- 
trary to  his  custom  unless  addressed:  "  Methinks  the  air 
of  yonder  halls,  valorous  Captain,  carries  with  it  a  per- 
fume, which,  though  it  may  be  well  termed  sweet,  is  so 
suffocating,  as  to  be  more  suitable  to  sepnlchrous  cham- 
bers, than  to  the  dwellings  of  men.  Happy  I  am  that 
I  am  free,  as  I  trust,  from  its  influences." 

"  Be  happy,  then,"  said  Achilles  Tatius,  "  since  thy  vile, 
cloddish  spirit  feels  suffocation  rather  than  refreshment  in 
gales,  which,  instead  of  causing  death,  might  recall  the 
dea<l  themselves  to  life.  Yet  this  I  will  say  for  thee, 
Hereward,  that,  born  a  Itarbarian,  within  the  narrow 
circle  of  a  savage's  desires  and  pleasures,  and  having  no 
idea  of  life,  save  what  thou  derivest  from  such  \  lie  and 
base  connexions,  thou  art,  nevertheless,  designed  by  na- 
ture for  bett(!r  things,  and  hast  this  day  sustaineil  a  trial, 
in  which,  I  fear  me,  not  ev(^n  one  of  mint;  own  noble 
corps,  frozen  its  they  an;  intci  liiinp>  of  inila^liioned   bar 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  165 

barity,  could  have  equalled  thy  bearing.  And  speak  now 
in  true  faith,  hast  not  thou  been  rewarded  ?  " 

"  That  will  I  never  deny,"  said  the  Varangian.  "  The 
pleasure  of  knowing,  twenty-four  hours  perhaps  before 
my  comrades,  that  the  Normans  are  coming  hither  to 
afford  us  a  full  revenge  of  the  bloody  day  of  Hastings,  is 
a  lordly  recompense,  for  the  task  of  spending  some  hours 
in  hearing  the  lengthened  chat  of  a  lady,  who  has  written 
about  she  knows  not  what,  and  the  flattering  commen- 
taries of  the  bystanders,  who  pretended  to  give  her  an 
account  of  what  they  did  not  themselves  stop  to  witness." 

"  Hereward,  my  good  youth,"  said  Achilles  Tatius, 
"  thou  ravest,  and  I  think  I  should  do  well  to  place  thee 
under  the  custody  of  some  person  of  skill.  Too  much 
hardihood,  my  valiant  soldier,  is  in  soberness  allied  to 
overdaring.  It  was  only  natural  that  thou  shouldst  feel  a 
becoming  pride  in  thy  late  position  ;  yet,  let  it  but  taint 
thee  with  vanity,  and  the  effect  will  be  little  short  of  mad- 
ness. Why,  thou  hast  looked  boldly  in  the  face  of  a 
Princess  born  in  the  purple,  before  whom  my  own  eyes, 
though  well  used  to  such  spectacles,  are  never  raised 
beyond  the  foldings  of  her  veil." 

"  So  be  it  in  the  name  of  Heaven !  "  replied  Here- 
ward. "  Nevertheless,  handsome  faces  were  made  to 
look  upon,  and  the  eyes  of  young  men  to  see  withal." 

"  If  such  be  their  final  end,"  said  Achilles,  "  never  did 
thine,  I  will  freely  suppose,  find  a  richer  apology  for  the 
somewhat  overbold  license  which  thou  tookest  in  thy 
gaze  upon  the  Princess  this  evening." 

"  Good  leader,  or  Follower,  whichever  is  your  favour- 
ite title,"  said  the  Anglo-Briton,  '•  drive  not  to  extremity 
a  plain  man,  who  desires  to  hold  his  duty  in  all  honour 
to  the  imperial  family.     The  Princess,  wife  of  the  Cassar, 


156  WAVKUI.r.Y    NOVELS. 

!in<l  l)orn,  yon  toll  inc,  of  a  purple  colour,  has  now  in- 
ln'ritt'cl,  iio(\vitli>taiuling,  the  features  of  a  most  lovely 
woman.  She  hath  composed  a  history,  of  which  I  pre- 
sume not  to  form  a  judgment,  since  I  cannot  understand 
it ;  she  sings  like  an  angel  ;  and  to  conclude,  after  the 
fashion  of  the  knights  of  this  day — though  I  deal  not 
ordinarily  with  their  language — I  would  say  cheerfully, 
that  I  am  ready  to  place  myself  in  lists  against  any  one 
whomsoever,  who  dares  detract  from  the  bcMiufy  of  the 
imperial  Anna  C'omnena's  person,  or  from  the  virtues  of 
her  mind.  Having  saiil  this,  my  nolde  captain,  we  have 
said  all  that  it  is  competent  for  you  to  iiupiire  into,  or  for 
me  to  answ<!r.  That  there  are  handsomer  women  than 
the  Princess,  is  unquestionable  ;  and  I  question  it  the 
less,  that  I  have  myself  seen  a  person  whom  I  think  far 
her  superior  ;  and  with  that  let  us  close  the  dialogue." 

"  Thy  beauty,  thou  unparalleled  fool,"  said  Achilles, 
"  must,  I  ween,  be  the  daughter  of  the  large-bodied  north- 
ern boor,  living  next  door  to  iiiin  upon  whose  farm  was 
brought  up  the  person  of  an  ass.  cursed  with  such  intol- 
erable want  of  judgment." 

"You  may  say  your  pleasure,  captain,"  r(|ili((l  Here- 
ward;  "because  it  is  the  safer  for  us  both  thMt  tliou  canst 
not  on  such  a  topic  either  offend  me,  who  hold  thy  judg- 
ment as  light  as  thou  canst  esteem  mine,  f)r  speak  any 
derogation  of  a  person  whom  you  never  saw,  but  whom, 
if  you  had  seen,  perchance  I  might  not  so  patiently  have 
brooked  any  reflection^  ujion,  even  at  the  liaiuls  of  a 
military  superior." 

Achilles  Tatiii-;  had  a  good  (h-.\\  of  tlie  pciiclralion 
necessary  for  one  in  his  >ilu.ilion.  He  never  provoked 
to  extremitv  the  daring  spirit^  whom  In*  comtnjindt.'d.  and 
never  used   ativ  fnccloni    witli    tliiiM    bcvoud    tiie    extent 


COUNT  ROBKRT  OF  PARIS.  157 

that  he  knew  their  patience  could  bear.  Hereward  was 
a  favourite  soldier,  and  had,  in  that  respect  at  least,  a 
sincere  liking  and  regard  for  his  commander ;  when, 
therefore,  the  Follower,  instead  of  resenting  his  petulance, 
good-humouredly  apologized  for  having  hurt  his  feelings, 
the  momentary  displeasure  between  them  was  at  an  end ; 
the  officer  at  once  reassumed  his  superiority,  and  the  sol- 
dier sunk  back  with  a  deep  sigh,  given  to  some  period 
which  was  long  past,  into  his  wonted  silence  and  reserve. 
Indeed,  the  Follower  had  another  and  further  design  upon 
Hereward,  of  which  he  was  as  yet  unwilling  to  do  more 
than  give  a  distant  hint. 

After  a  long  pause,  during  which  they  approached  the 
barracks,  a  gloomy  fortified  building  constructed  for  the 
residence  of  their  corps,  the  captain  motioned  his  soldier 
to  draw  close  up  to  his  side,  and  proceeded  to  ask  him,  in 
a  confidential  tone — "  Hereward,  my  friend,  although  it  is 
scarce  to  be  supposed  that  in  the  presence  of  the  imperial 
family  thou  shouldst  mark  any  one  who  did  not  partake 
of  their  blood,  or  rather,  as  Homer  has  it,  who  did  not 
participate  of  the  divine  ichor,  which,  in  their  sacred  per- 
sons, supplies  the  place  of  that  vulgar  fluid ;  yet,  during 
so  long  an  audience,  thou  mightst  possibly,  from  his  un- 
courtly  person  and  attire,  have  distinguished  Agelastes, 
vyhom  we  courtiers  call  the  Elephant,  from  his  strict  ob- 
sei'vation  of  the  rule  which  forbids  any  one  to  sit  down  or 
rest  in  the  Imperial  presence  ?  " 

"  I  think,"  replied  the  soldier,  "  I  marked  the  man  you 
mean  ;  his  age  was  some  seventy  and  upwards, — a  big 
burly  person  ; — and  the  baldness  which  reached  to  the  top 
of  his  head  was  well  atoned  for  by  a  white  beard  of  pro- 
digious size,  which  descended  in  waving  curls  over  his 
breast,  and  reached   to  the   towel  with  which  his  loins 


158  WAVr.KI.KY    NOVKI.S. 

wero  ginlcd,  iiisti'ail  of"  the  silken  sash  used  by  other 
persons  of  rank." 

"Most  arciiratoly  markcil.  my  Varangian,"  said  the 
officer.     "What  else  didst  tliou  note  about  this  person  ?" 

"  His  cloak  was  in  its  texlure  us  coarse  as  that  of  the 
meanest  of  the  people,  but  it  was  strictly  clean,  as  if  it 
had  been  the  intention  of  the  wearer  to  exhibit  poverty, 
or  carelessness  and  contempt  of  dress,  avoiding,  at  the 
same  time,  every  particular  which  implied  any  thing  neg- 
ligent, sordid,  or  disgusting." 

"  By  St.  Sophia ! "  said  the  oHicer,  "  thou  astonishest 
me!  The  Prophet  Balaam  was  not  more  surpri-^ed  when 
his  ass  turned  round  her  head  and  spoke  to  him  ! — And 
what  else  didst  thou  note  concerning  this  man?  I  see 
those  who  meet  thee  must  beware  of  thy  observation,  a.s 
well  as  of  thy  battle-axe." 

"  Tf  it  please  your  valour,"  answered  the  soldier,  "  we 
English  have  eyes  as  well  as  hands  ;  but  it  is  only  when 
discharging  our  duty  that  we  permit  our  tongues  to  dwell 
on  what  we  have  observed.  I  noted  but  little  of  this 
man's  conversation,  but  from  what  I  heard,  it  seemed  he 
was  not  unwilling  to  play  what  w<>  call  the  jester,  or  jack- 
pudding,  in  the  conversation,  a  character  which,  consider- 
ing the  man's  age  and  physiognomy,  is  not,  I  should  be 
tempted  to  say,  natural,  but  assinned  for  some  purpose 
of  deeper  import." 

"  Ilereward. "  aii-wered  his  officer,  "  thou  hast  spoken 
like  an  angel  sent  down  to  examine  men's  bosoms ;  that 
man,  Agelastes,  is  a  contradiction,  such  as  earth  has  sel- 
dom witnessed.  Possessing  all  that  wisdom  which  in 
former  times  united  the  sages  of  this  nation  with  the 
gods  themselves,  Agelastes  has  the  same  cunning  as  the 
elder   Brutus,  who   disguised   his  talents   umhr  the    sem- 


COUNT  ROr.KRT  OF  VARIS.  159 

blance  of  an  idle  jester.  He  appears  to  seek  no  office 
— he  desires  no  consideration — he  pays  suit  at  court 
only  when  positively  required  to  do  so ;  yet  what  shall  I 
say,  my  soldier,  concerning  the  cause  of  an  influence 
gained  without  apparent  effort,  and  extending  almost  into 
the  very  thoughts  of  men,  who  appear  to  act  as  he  would 
desire,  without  his  soliciting  them  for  that  purpose  ?  Men 
say  strange  things  concerning  the  extent  of  his  communi- 
cations with  other  beings,  whom  our  fathers  worshipped 
with  prayer  and  sacrifice.  I  am  determined,  however, 
to  know  the  road  by  which  he  climbs  so  high  and  so 
easily  towards  the  point  to  which  all  men  aspire  at  court, 
and  it  will  go  hard  but  he  shall  either  share  his  ladder 
with  me,  or  I  will  strike  its  support  from  under  him. 
Thee,  Hereward,  I  have  chosen  to  assist  me  in  this  mat- 
ter, as  the  knights  among  these  Frankish  infidels  select, 
when  going  upon  an  adventure,  a  sturdy  squire,  or  in- 
ferior attendant,  to  share  the  dangers  and  the  recom- 
pense ;  and  this  I  am  moved  to,  as  much  by  the  shrewd- 
ness thou  hast  this  night  manifested  as  by  the  courage 
which  thou  mayst  boast,  in  common  with,  or  rather  be- 
yond, thy  companions." 

"  I  am  obliged,  arid  I  thank  your  valour,"  replied  the 
Varangian,  more  coldly  perhaps  than  his  officer  expected  ; 
"  I  am  ready,  as  is  my  duty,  to  serve  you  in  any  thing 
consistent  with  God  and  the  Emperor's  claims  upon  my 
service.  I  would  only  say,  that,  as  a  sworn  inferior  sol- 
dier, I  will  do  nothing  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  empire, 
and,  as  a  sincere  though  ignorant  Christian,  I  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  gods  of  the  heathens,  save  to  defy 
them  in  the  name  and  strength  of  the  holy  saints." 

"  Idiot !  "  said  Achilles  Tatius,  "  dost  thou  think  that  I. 
already  possessed  of  one  of  the  first  dignities  of  the  em- 


160  WAVl.UI.KY    NOVKLS. 

pire,  could  meditate  any  thing  coiitniry  to  llie  interests  of 
Alexius  Comnenus  ?  or,  what  would  be  scarce  more  atro- 
eiou.>,  tliat  I,  the  chosen  friend  and  ally  of  the  reverend 
Patriarch  Zosimus,  should  meddle  with  any  thing  bearing 
a  relation,  however  remote,  to  heresy  or  idolatry  ?  " 

"Truly,"  answered  the  Varangian,  "no  one  would  be 
more  ?-ur[)rist'd  or  grieved  than  I  should  ;  but  when  we 
walk,  in  a  labyrinth,  we  must  assume  and  announce  that 
we  have  a  steady  and  forward  purpose,  which  is  one 
mode  at  least  of  keeping  a  straight  path.  The  people 
of  this  country  have  so  many  ways  of  saying  the  same 
thing,  that  one  can  hardly  know  at  last  what  is  their  real 
meaning.  "We  English,  on  the  other  hand,  can  only  ex- 
press ourselves  in  one  set  of  words,  but  it  is  one  out  of 
which  all  the  ingenuity  of  the  world  could  not  extract  a 
double  meaning." 

"  'Tis  well,"  said  his  ofTicer,  "  to-morrow  we  will  talk 
more  of  this,  for  which  purpose  tiiou  wilt  come  to  my 
quarters  a  little  after  sunset.  And.  liark  lli(<%  to-morrow, 
while  the  sun  is  in  heaven,  shall  be  thine  own,  either  to 
sport  thyself  or  to  repose.  Employ  thy  time  in  the  lat- 
ter, by  my  advice,  since  to-morrow  night,  like  the  present, 
may  find  us  both  watchers." 

So  saying,  they  entered  the  barracks,  where  they  jjarted 
company — the  commander  of  the  life-guards  taking  his 
way  to  a  splendid  set  of  apartments  which  belonged  to 
him  in  that  capacity,  and  the  Anglo-Saxon  seeking  liis 
more  humble  accommodations  Jis  a  subaltern  ollici-r  of  the 
same  corps. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  161 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Such  forces  met  not,  nor  so  vast  a  camp, 

When  Agrican,  with  all  his  Northern  powers, 

Besieged  Albracca,  as  romances  tell. 

The  city  of  Gallaphron,  from  thence  to  win 

The  fairest  of  her  sex,  Angelica, 

His  daughter,  sought  hy  many  prowess'd  knights. 

Both  Paynim,  and  the  Peers  of  Charlemagne. 

Paradise  Regained. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  clay  following  that  which 
we  have  commemorated,  the  Imperial  Council  was  as- 
sembled, where  the  number  of  general  oflScers  with 
sounding  titles,  disguised  under  a  thin  veil  the  real  weak- 
ness of  the  Grecian  empire.  The  commanders  were  nu- 
merous, and  the  distinctions  of  their  rank  minute,  but 
the  soldiers  were  very  few  in  comparison. 

The  offices  formerly  filled  by  prefects,  pra3tors,  and 
questors,  were  now  held  by  persons  who  had  gradually 
risen  into  the  authority  of  those  officers,  and  Avho,  though 
designated  from  their  domestic  duties  about  the  Emperor, 
yet,  from  that  very  circumstance,  possessed  what,  in  that 
despotic  court,  was  the  most  effectual  source  of  power. 
A  long  train  of  officers  entered  the  great  hall  of  the 
Castle  of  Blacquernal,  and  proceeded  so  far  together  as 
their  different  grades  admitted,  while  in  each  chamber 
through  which  they  passed  in  succession,  a  certain  num- 
ber of  the  train,  whose  rank  permitted  them  to  advance 

VOL.  XL  VII.  11 


162  WAVKiti.r.Y  Novr.i.s. 

Ill)  f'nrllicr,  rcm:iiiii'(l  lichiml  tin-  utlici'-.  Tim-,  wlicii  the 
iiilcrioi'  cal)!]!!'!  <A'  :iU(lii'iicc  was  ^jaiiicil,  wliidi  was  not. 
until  tiR'ir  passage  tlirongli  ton  antorooins,  live  persons 
only  found  tlieuiselves  in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor  in 
this  innermost  and  most  sacred  recess  of  royalty,  deco- 
rated l»y  all  the  splendour  of  the  period. 

The  Emperor  Alexius  .'^at  upon  a  >tal(ly  ilnone.  rich 
with  barltaric  gems  and  gold,  and  flanked  on  either  hand, 
in  imitation  probably  of  Solomon's  magnificence,  with 
the  form  of  a  couchaut  linn  in  the  same  precious  metal. 
Not  to  dwell  upon  other  marks  of  splemlonr,  a  tree,  whose 
trunk  seemed  also  of  gold,  shot  up  behind  the  throne, 
which  it  ovfrcaiiopird  with  its  branehi'S. — Amid  the 
boughs  were  birds  of  various  kinds  curiously  wrought  and 
enamelled,  and  fruit  coiuposed  of  precious  stones  seemed 
to  glisten  among  the  leaves.  Five  officers  alone,  the 
highest  in  the  state,  had  the  privilege  of  entering  tliis 
sacred  recess  when  the  Emperor  held  council.  These 
were — the  Grand  Domestic,  who  might  be  termed  of 
rank  with  a  modern  prime  minister — the  Logothete,  or 
chancellor — the  Protospathaire,  or  commander  of  the 
guards,  already  mentioned — the  Acolyte,  or  Follower, 
and  leader  of  the  Varangians — and  the  Patriarch. 

The  doors  of  this  secret  apartment,  and  the  adjacent 
antechamber,  were  guarded  by  six  deformecl  Nubian 
slaves,  whose  writhen  and  withered  countenances  fiu'med 
a  hideous  contrast  with  their  snow-white  dresses  and 
splendid  equipiuent.  They  were  unites,  a  species  of 
wretches  borrowed  from  the  desjiotism  of  the  East,  that 
they  might  be  miable  to  proclaim  the  deeds  of  tyranny 
of  which  they  were  th<'  un-<TUpulous  agents.  They  were 
generally  held  in  a  kind  of  horror,  rather  than  compas- 
sion, for  men  considered  that  slaves  of  this  sort   had  a 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  1G3 

maligiiiint  pleasure  in  avenging  upon  others  the  irreparable 
wrongs  which  had  severed  themselves  from  humanity. 

It  was  a  general  custom,  though,  like  many  other 
usages  of  the  Greeks,  it  would  be  held  childish  in  modern 
times,  that  by  means  of  machinery  easily  conceived,  the 
lions,  at  the  entrance  of  a  stranger,  were  made,  as  it  were, 
to  rouse  themselves  and  roar,  after  which  a  wind  seemed 
to  rustle  the  foliage  of  the  tree,  the  birds  hopped  from 
branch  to  branch,  pecked  the  fruit,  and  appeared  to  fill 
the  chamber  with  their  carolling.  This  display  had 
alarmed  many  an  ignorant  foreign  ambassador,  and  even 
the  Grecian  counsellors  themselves  Avere  expected  to  dis- 
play the  same  sensations  of  fear,  succeeded  by  surprise, 
when  they  heard  the  roar  of  the  lions,  followed  by  the 
concert  of  the  birds,  although  perhaps  it  was  for  the 
fiftieth  time.  On  this  occasion,  as  a  proof  of  the  urgency 
of  the  present  meeting  of  the  council,  these  ceremonies 
were  entirely  omitted. 

The  speech  of  the  Emperor  himself  seemed  to  supply 
by  its  commencement  the  bellowing  of  the  lions,  while  it 
ended  in  a  sti'ain  more  resembling  the  warbling  of  the 
birds. 

In  his  first  sentences,  he  treated  of  the  audacity  and 
unheard  of  boldness  of  the  millions  of  Franks,  who,  under 
the  pretence  of  wresting  Palestine  from  the  infidels,  had 
ventured  to  invade  the  sacred  territories  of  the  empire. 
He  threatened  them  with  such  chastisement  as  his  innu- 
merable forces  and  officers  would,  he  affirmed,  find  it 
easy  to  inflict.  To  all  this  the  audience,  and  especially 
the  militaiy  officers,  gave  symptoms  of  x'eady  assent. 

Alexius,  however,  did  not  long  persist  in  the  warlike 
intentions  which  he  at  first  avowed.  The  Franks,  he  at 
length  seemed  to  reflect,  were,  in  profession.  Christians. 


164  MAViin.KY  Novr.i.s. 

They  niiglit  jios.^ibly  be  sfi-ious  in  their  pretext  of  the 
crusade,  in  wliich  case  tlicir  motives  daimcd  a  degree  of 
indulgence,  and,  ahliough  erring,  a  certain  portion  of  re- 
spect. Their  numbers  also  were  great,  and  their  valour 
could  not  \h'  (lopised  l)y  those  who  had  seen  them  fight 
at  Diira/.zo,*  and  elsewhere.  They  might  also,  by  the 
permission  of  Supreme  Proviih'nee.  be,  in  the  long  run, 
the  instruments  of  advantage  to  I  lie  most  sacred  empire, 
though  they  approached  it  with  so  little  ceremony.  He 
had,  therefore,  mingling  the  virtues  of  prudence,  human- 
ity, and  generosity,  with  that  valour  which  must  always 
burn  in  the  heart  of  an  Kmperor,  formed  a  plan,  which 
he  was  about  to  sulimit  lo  tiieir  consideration,  foi-  present 
execution;  and,  in  th(»  first  place,  he  re(piested  of  the 
Gran<l  Domestic,  to  let  him  know  what  forces  he  might 
count  upon  on  thr  western  side  of  the  Bosjdiorus. 

"Innumerable  are  the  forces  of  the  empire  as  the  stars 
in  heaven,  or  the  sand  on  the  sea-shore,"  answered  the 
Grand  Domestic. 

"  That  is  a  goodly  answer,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  pro- 
vided there  were  strangers  present  at  this  conference  ; 
but  since  we  hold  consultation  in  private,  it  is  necessary 
that  I  know  precisely  to  what  number  that  army  amounts 
which  I  have  to  rely  upon.  Reserve  your  eloquence  till 
some  litter  time,  and  let  me  know  what  you,  at  this  pres- 
ent moment,  mean  by  the  word  inniinimihlc  !'' 

The  (iraiid  l)om«--tie  [laii^i-d.  and  hesitated  for  a  short 
space;  but  as  h<'  Ix'caine  aware  that  the  moment  was  one 
in  which  the  Emperor  coidd  not  be  trifled  with,  (for 
Alixiiis  Coinnemis  was  at  times  dangerous,)  In-  answered 

*  P'or  the  buttle  of  Durazzo,  Oct.  1081,  in  which  Alexius  was  de- 
feated with  great  slaughter  by  Itobcrt  Guiscard,  and  escaped  only  by 
the  swiftness  of  his  horse,  sec  Gibbon,  ch.  60. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  165 

thus,  but  not  without  hesitation. — "  Imperial  master  and 
lord,  none  better  knows  tliat  such  an  answer  cannot  be 
hastily  made,  if  it  is  at  the  same  time  to  be  correct  in  its 
results.  The  number  of  the  imperial  host  betwixt  this 
city  and  the  western  frontier  of  the  empire,  deducting 
those  absent  upon  furlough,  cannot  be  counted  upon  as 
amounting  to  more  than  twenty-five  thousand  men,  or 
thirty  thousand  at  most." 

Alexius  struck  his  forehead  with  his  hand  ;  and  the 
counsellors,  seeing  him  give  way  to  such  violent  expres- 
sions of  grief  and  surprise,  began  to  enter  into  discus- 
sions, which  they  would  otherwise  have  reserved  for  a 
fitter  place  and  time. 

"  By  the  trust  your  Highness  reposes  in  me,"  said  the 
Logothete,  "  there  has  been  drawn  fi'om  your  Highness's 
coffers  during  the  last  year,  gold  enough  to  pay  double 
the  number  of  the  armed  warriors  whom  the  Grand  Do- 
mestic now  mentions." 

"  Your  Imperial  Highness,"  retorted  the  impeached 
minister,  with  no  small  animation,  "  will  at  once  remem- 
ber the  stationary  garrisons,  in  addition  to  the  movable 
troops,  for  which  this  figure-caster  makes  no  allowance." 

"  Peace,  both  of  you  !  "  said  Alexius,  composing  him- 
self hastily ;  "  our  actual  numbers  are  in  truth  less  than 
we  counted  on,  but  let  us  not  by  wrangling  augment  the 
difficulties  of  the  time.  Let  those  troops  be  dispersed  in 
valleys,  in  passes,  behind  ridges  of  hills,  and  in  difficult 
ground,  where  a  little  art  being  used  in  the  position,  can 
make  few  men  supply  the  appearance  of  numbers,  be- 
tween this  city  and  the  western  frontier  of  the  empire. 
While  this  disposal  is  made,  we  will  continue  to  adjust 
with  these  crusaders,  as  they  call  themselves,  the  terms 
on  which  we  will  consent  to  let  them  pass  through  our 


166  WAvr.ni.KY  xovr.r.s. 

dominions  ;  nor  an'  wo  without  liopo  of  negotiating  with 
thoni,  .'^o  as  to  gain  great  a<lvantagc  to  our  kingdom.  We 
will  insist  that  they  pa.*3  through  our  country  only  by 
armies  of  perliaps  fifty  thousand  at  once,  wiiom  wo  will 
successively  transport  into  Asia,  so  that  no  greater  num- 
ber shall,  by  assembling  beneath  our  walls,  ever  endanger 
the  safety  of  the  metropolis  of  the  world. 

"On  their  way  towards  the  banks  of  tli(>  l>ospliorus, 
we  will  supply  them  with  provisions,  if  tliey  marcii  peace- 
ably, and  in  order  ;  and  if  any  straggle  from  their  stand- 
ard-, or  insult  the  couiitiy  by  marauding,  we  suppose 
our  valiant  pea-ants  will  not  hesitate  to  rejjress  their  ex- 
cesses, and  that  without  our  giving  positive  orilers,  since 
we  would  not  willingly  be  charged  with  any  thing  like  a 
breach  of  engagement.  We  suppose,  al>o,  that  the  Scy- 
thians, Arabs,  Syrians,  and  other  mercenaries  in  our  ser- 
vice, will  not  sutler  our  subjects  to  be  overpowered  in 
their  own  just  defence  ;  as,  besides  that  there  is  no  jus- 
tice in  stripping  our  own  country  of  provisions,  in  order 
to  feed  .-trangers,  wo  will  not  be  surprised  nor  unpardon- 
ably  di-pleased  to  learn,  that  of  the  ostensible  quantity  of 
flour,  some  sacks  should  be  foiuMl  fill<(l  wiiii  clialk,  or 
lime,  or  -ome  such  substance.  It  is,  indeed,  truly  won- 
derful, what  the  stomach  of  a  Frank  will  digest  comfort- 
ably. Their  guides,  also,  whom  vou  >hall  choose  with 
reference  to  such  duty,  will  take  care  to  conduct  tlu'  cru- 
saders by  ditlicult  and  circuitous  routes  ;  whicii  will  be 
doing  them  a  real  service,  by  inin-ing  them  to  the  hai*d- 
ships  of  the  country  and  climate,  which  they  would  other- 
wise have  to  face  without  seasoning. 

"In  the  meantime,  in  yniM"  intercourse  with  their  chiefs, 
whom  they  call  coimts,  each  of  wIkwu  thinks  himself  as 
great    as  an    Emperor,  you   will    take    care    to  give    no 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  167 

offence  to  tlieir  natural  presumption,  and  omit  no  oppor- 
tunity of  informing  them  of  the  wealth  and  bounty  of  our 
government.  Sums  of  money  may  be  even  given  to  per- 
sons of  note,  and  largesses  of  less  avail  to  those  under 
them.  You,  our  Logothete,  will  take  good  order  for  tliis, 
and  you,  our  Grand  Domestic,  will  take  care  that  such 
soldiers  as  may  cut  off  detached  parties  of  the  Franks 
shall  be  presented,  if  possible,  in  savage  dress,  and  under 
the  show  of  infidels.  In  commending  these  injunctions 
to  your  care,  I  purpose  that,  the  crusaders  having  found 
the  value  of  our  friendship,  and  also  in  some  sort  the 
danger  of  our  enmity,  those  whom  we  shall  safely  trans- 
port to  Asia,  shall  be,  however  unwieldy,  still  a  smaller 
and  more  compact  body,  whom  we  may  deal  with  in  all 
Christian  prudence.  Thus,  by  using  fair  words  to  one, 
threats  to  another,  gold  to  the  avaricious,  power  to  the 
ambitious,  and  reasons  to  those  that  are  capable  of  listen- 
ing to  them,  we  doubt  not  but  to  prevail  upon  those 
Franks,  met  as  they  are  from  a  thousand  points,  and  ene- 
mies of  each  other,  to  acknowledge  us  as  their  common 
superior,  rather  than  choose  a  leader  among  themselves, 
when  they  are  made  aware  of  the  great  fact,  that  every 
village  in  Palestine,  from  Dan  to  Beersheba,  is  the  origi- 
nal property  of  the  sacred  Roman  empire,  and  that  what- 
ever Christian  goes  to  war  for  their  recovery,  must  go  as 
our  subject,  and  hold  any  conquest  which  he  may  make, 
as  our  vassal.  Vice  and  virtue,  sense  and  folly,  ambition 
and  disinterested  devotion,  will  alike  recommend  to  the 
survivors  of  these  singular-minded  men,  to  become  the 
feudatories  of  the  empire,  not  its  foe,  and  the  shield,  not 
the  enemy,  of  your  paternal  Emperor." 

There  was  a  general  inclination  of  the  head  among  the 
courtiers,  with  the  Eastern  exclamation  of, — "  Long  live 
the  Emperor ! " 


168  WAVl.KI.KY    NOVKLS. 

WIr'm  tliL'  luuniuir  of  tliis  Mi)|)l;uisivc  exclamation  had 
subsided,  Alexius  proceeded  :  "  Once  more,  I  say,  that 
my  I'aithful  Grand  Domestic,  and  those  who  act  under 
him,  will  take  care  to  couunit  the  execution  ot"  such  part 
of  these  orders  as  may  seem  aggressive,  to  troops  of  for- 
eign appearance  and  language,  which,  I  grieve  to  say,  are 
more  lunnerous  in  our  imperial  army  than  our  natural- 
born  and  orthodox  subjects." 

Tlie  Patriarch  here  interposed  his  opinion. — "  There 
is  a  consolation,"  he  said,  "  in  the  thought,  that  the  genu- 
ine Romans  in  the  imperial  army  are  but  few,  since  a 
trade  so  bloody  as  war,  is  most  fitly  prosecuted  by  those 
whose  doctrines,  as  well  as  their  doings,  on  earth,  merit 
eternal  condcnuiation  in  tlie  next  world." 

"  Reverend  I'alriarch,"  said  the  l^npcror,  ''  we  would 
not  wiilingiv  liulil  willi  tiic  wild  intidrls,  that  Paradise  is 
to  be  gained  l»y  tiie  sabre  ;  nevertheless,  we  would  hope 
that  a  Roman,  dying  in  battle  for  his  religion  and  his 
Emperor,  may  find  as  good  hope  of  acceptation,  after  the 
mortal  i)ang  is  over,  as  a  man  who  dies  in  peace,  and 
with  unblooded  hand." 

"  It  is  enough  for  me  to  say,"  resumed  the  Patriarch, 
"  that  the  Church's  doctrine  is  not  so  indulgent ;  she  is 
herself  peaceful,  and  her  promises  of  favour  are  for  those 
who  have  been  men  of  peace.  Yet  think  Tiot  I  bar  the 
gates  of  Heaven  against  a  soldier,  as  such,  if  l)clieving  all 
the  doctrines  of  <>iir  C'liiirch,  anii  coiiiiiIn  iiii:  willi  ;ill  <iiir 
observane<'S ;  far  less  would  1  condrnui  your  Imperial 
Majesty's  wise  precautions,  both  for  diminishing  the 
power  and  tliiiiniiig  liie  iank<  ()f  llio-e  Latin  heretics, 
who  COMIC  hitlier  to  de-.|)oil  lis.  and  plunder  perhaps  both 
church  and  temi»le,  under  the  vain  pretext  that  Heaven 
would   perniil   them,    >taiiied    wilb    so   many   heresies,  to 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  169 

reconquer  that  Holy  Land,  which  true  orthodox  Chris- 
tians, your  Majesty's  sacred  predecessors,  have  not  been 
enabled  to  retain  from  the  infidel.  And  well  I  trust  that 
no  settlement  made  under  the  Latins  will  be  permitted  by 
your  Majesty  to  establish  itself,  in  which  the  Cross  shall 
not  be  elevated  with  limbs  of  the  same  length,  instead  of 
that  irregular  and  most  damnable  error  which  prolongs, 
in  western  churches,  the  nether  limb  of  that  most  holy 
emblem." 

"  Reverend  Patriarch,"  answered  the  Emperor,  "  do 
not  deem  that  we  think  lightly  of  your  weighty  scruples  ; 
but  the  question  is  now,  not  in  what  manner  we  may  con- 
vert these  Latin  heretics  to  the  true  faith,  but  how  we 
may  avoid  being  overrun  by  their  myriads,  which  i*esem- 
ble  those  of  the  locusts  by  which  their  approach  Avas 
preceded  and  intimated." 

"  Your  Majesty,"  said  the  Patriarch,  "  will  act  with 
your  usual  wisdom  ;  for  my  part,  I  have  only  stated  my 
doubts,  that  I  may  save  my  own  soul  alive." 

"  Our  construction,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  does  your  sen- 
timents no  wrong,  most  reverend  Patriarch  ;  and  you," 
addressing  himself  to  the  other  counsellors,  "  will  attend 
to  these  separate  charges  given  out  for  directing  the  exe- 
cution of  the  commands  which  have  been  generally  inti- 
mated to  you.  They  are  written  out  in  the  sacred  ink, 
and  our  sacred  subscription  is  duly  marked  with  the  tit- 
ting  tinge  of  green  and  purple.  Let  them,  therefore,  be 
strictly  obeyed.  Ourselves  will  assume  the  command  of 
such  of  the  Immortal  Bands  as  remain  in  the  city,  and 
join  to  them  the  cohorts  of  our  faithful  Varangians.  At 
the  head  of  these  troops,  we  will  await  the  arrival  of 
these  strangers  under  the  walls  of  the  city,  and,  avoiding 
combat  while  our  policy  can  postpone  it,  we  will  be  ready, 


170  WAVKKI.KV    NOVKLS, 

in  case  of  tlie  worst,  to  take  whatsoever  chance  it  shall 
pleiise  the  Ahnighty  to  send  us." 

Here  the  council  broke  up,  and  the  different  chiefs 
began  to  exert  themselves  in  the  execution  of  their 
various  instructions,  civil  ami  niiiiinry,  secret  or  iiul)lic, 
favoiu'aljle  or  hostile  to  the  crusaders.  The  peculiar 
genius  of  the  Grecian  jteople  was  seen  upon  this  occa- 
sion. Tliiir  Idinl  and  Ima-llul  talking  corresponded  wilh 
the  ideas  whicii  tlie  Kniperor  wished  to  enforce  u|)on  the 
cru>aders  concerning  the  extent  of  his  power  and  re- 
sources. Nor  is  it  to  be  disguised,  that  the  wily  selfish- 
ness of  most  of  those  in  the  service  of  Alexius, 
endeavoured  to  find  some  indirect  way  of  applying  the 
imj)erial  instruction,  so  as  might  best  suit  their  own  pri- 
vate ends. 

Meantime,  the  news  liad  gone  al)road  in  Constantinople 
of  the  arrival  of  the  huge  miscellaneous  army  of  the 
west  upon  the  limits  of  the  Grecian  empire,  and  of  their 
purpose  to  pass  to  Palestine.  A  thou<anil  reports  magni- 
fied, if  that  was  possible,  an  event  so  wonderful.  Some 
said,  tiiat  their  ultimate  view  was  the  conquest  of  Arabia, 
the  destruction  of  the  Prophet's  tomb,  and  the  conversion 
of  his  green  banner  into  a  horse-cloth  for  the  King  of 
France's  brother.  Others  supposed  that  the  ruin  and 
sack  of  Constantinople  was  the  real  object  of  the  war. 
A  tiiird  class  thought  it  was  in  order  to  compel  the 
Patriarch  to  submit  himself  to  the  Pope,  adopt  ilic  Latin 
form  of  the  cross,  and  put  an  end  to  tlie  schi-m. 

The  Varangians  enjoyed  an  addition  to  this  wondeifid 
news,  seasoned  as  it  everywhere  was  witli  sonietiiing 
peculiarly  suite(l  to  tiie  prejuiliees  of  the  hearers.  It 
was  gathered  originally  from  wlial  our  friend  llercward, 
who  was  one  of  tlieir  inferior  ollicers,  called  sergeants  or 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  171 

constables,  had  sufFeretl  to  transpire  of  wliat  he  had  heard 
the  precedhig  evening.  Considering  that  the  fact  must 
be  soon  matter  of  notoriety,  he  had  no  hesitation  to  give 
his  comrades  to  understand  that  a  Norman  army  was 
coming  hither  under  Duke  Robert,  the  son  of  the  far- 
famed  WiHiam  the  Conqueror,  and  with  hostile  inten- 
tions, he  concluded,  against  them  in  particular.  Like  all 
other  men  in  peculiar  circumstances,  the  Varangians 
adopted  an  explanation  applicable  to  their  own  condi- 
tion. These  Noi'mans,  who  hated  the  Saxon  nation,  and 
had  done  so  much  to  dishonour  and  oppress  them,  were 
now  following  them,  they  supposed,  to  the  foreign  capital 
where  they  had  found  refuge,  with  the  purpose  of  making 
war  on  the  bountiful  prince  who  protected  their  sad 
remnant.  Under  this  belief,  many  a  deep  oath  was 
sworn  in  Norse  and  Anglo-Saxon,  that  their  keen  battle- 
axes  should  avenge  the  slaughter  of  Hastings,  and  many 
a  pledge,  both  in  wine  and  ale,  was  quaffed  who  should 
most  deeply  resent,  and  most  effectually  revenge,  the 
wrongs  which  the  Anglo-Saxons  of  England  had  received 
at  the  hand  of  their  oppressors. 

Hereward,  the  author  of  this  intelligence,  began  soon 
to  be  sorry  that  he  had  ever  suffered  it  to  escape  him,  so 
closely  was  he  cross-examined  concerning  its  precise 
import,  by  the  inquiries  of  his  comrades,  from  whom  he 
thought  himself  obliged  to  keep  concealed  the  adventures 
of  the  preceding  evening,  and  the  place  in  which  he  had 
gained  his  information. 

About  noon,  when  he  was  effectually  tired  with  return- 
ing the  same  answer  to  the  same  questions,  and  evading 
similar  others  which  were  repeatedly  put  to  him,  the 
sound  of  trumpets  announced  the  presence  of  the  Acolyte, 
Achillus  Tatius,  who  came  immediately,  it  was  industri- 


172  WAVKIil.KY   Novni.s. 

ously  whispered,  from  the  sacred  Interior,  uilli  news  of 
the  inuneiliate  approach  of  war. 

The  ^'arangia^s,  and  the  Roman  bands  caHed  Immor- 
tal, it  was  said,  were  to  form  a  camp  under  tiie  city,  ia 
order  to  be  prompt  to  defend  it  at  the  shortest  notice. 
Tliis  put  the  whole  barracks  into  commotion,  each  man 
making  the  necessary  provision  for  the  approaching  cam- 
paign. The  noise  was  chieHy  that  of  joyful  bustle  and 
acclamation;  and  it  was  so  general  that  Hereward,  whose 
rank  permitted  him  to  commit  to  a  page  or  esquire  the 
task  of  preparing  his  e(piipinen(s,  took  the  oppoi-liniil v  to 
leave  the  barracks,  in  order  to  seek  some  di-tant  place 
apart  from  his  comrades,  and  enjoy  his  solitary  reflections 
upon  the  singular  connexion  into  which  he  had  been  drawn, 
and  his  direct  communication  with  the  Imperial  family. 

Passing  through  the  narrow  streets,  then  deserted  on 
account  of  the  heat  of  the  sun,  he  reached  at  length  one 
of  those  broad  terraces,  which,  descending  as  it  were  by 
steps,  upon  the  margin  of  the  Bosphorus,  formed  one  of 
the  most  splendid  walks  in  the  universe,  and  still,  it  is 
belie\ed,  preserved  as  a  public  promenade  for  the  pleas- 
un-  of  thr  Turks,  as  formerly  for  that  of  the  Chri>tians. 
These  graduated  terraces  were  planted  with  many  trees, 
among  which  the  cypress,  as  usual,  was  most  generally 
cultivated.  Here  Ijamis  of  thr  iidial)i(aiil>  were  to  be 
seen  ;  some  passing  to  and  fro,  witii  business  and  anxiety 
in  their  faces;  some  standing  still  in  groups,  as  if  discuss- 
ing the  strangf  aii<l  weiglity  tiding--  of  the  day.  and 
some,  with  tiie  indolent  car«'le»ness  of  an  eastern  cli- 
mate, eating  their  noontide  refreshment  in  the  shade,  and 
spending  their  time  as  if  th»;ir  sole  object  was  to  make 
much  of  the  day  as  it  passed,  and  let  the  cares  of  to- 
morrow answer  for  themselves. 


COrNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  173 

While  the  Varangian,  afraid  of  meeting  some  acquaint- 
ance in  this  concourse,  which  would  have  been  inconsis- 
tent with  the  desire  of  seclusion  which  had  brought  him 
thither,  descended  or  passed  from  one  terrace  to  another, 
all  marked  him  with  looks  of  curiosity  and  inquiry,  con- 
sidering him  to  be  one,  who,  from  his  arms  and  connexion 
with  the  court,  must  necessarily  know  more  than  others 
concerning  the  singular  invasion  by  numerous  enemies, 
and  from  various  quarters,  which  was  the  news  of  the 
day. 

None,  however,  had  the  hardihood  to  address  the  sol- 
dier of  the  guard,  though  all  looked  at  him  with  uncom- 
mon interest.  He  walked  from  the  lighter  to  the  darker 
alleys,  from  the  more  closed  to  the  more  open  terraces, 
without  interruption  from  any  one,  yet  not  without  a 
feeling  that  he  must  not  consider  himself  as  alone. 

The  desire  that  he  felt  to  be  solitary  rendered  him  at 
last  somewhat  watchful,  so  that  he  became  sensible  that 
he  was  dogged  by  a  black  slave,  a  personage  not  so  un- 
frequent  in  the  streets  of  Constantinople  as  to  excite  any 
particular  notice.  His  attention,  however,  being  at  length 
fixed  on  this  individual,  he  began  to  be  desirous  to  escape 
his  observation ;  and  the  change  of  place  which  he  had  at 
first  adopted  to  avoid  society  in  general,  he  had  now 
recourse  to,  in  order  to  rid  himself  of  this  distant,  though 
apparently  watchful  attendant.  Still,  however,  though 
he  by  change  of  place  had  lost  sight  of  the  negro  for  a 
few  minutes,  it  was  not  long  ere  he  again  discovered  him 
at  a  distance  too  far  for  a  companion,  but  near  enough  to 
serve  all  the  purposes  of  a  spy.  Displeased  at  this,  the 
Varangian  turned  short  in  his  walk,  and  choosing  a  spot 
where  none  was  in  sight  but  the  object  of  his  resentment, 
walked  suddenly  up   to   him,  and  demanded  wherefore, 


174  \vavi;i:i.i:y   novkls. 

and  liy  wliosc  fudcrs.  lie  prcsumcil  to  <lo'r  \\]<  looisteps. 
Tlic  iK'L'ro  aii>\v('ic(l  in  n  jaigon  as  bad  as  lliat  in  which 
he  was  addirsscd,  though  of  a  diirciciit  kind,  "'that  he 
had  orders  to  remark  wliitlier  lie  went." 

"  Onh'rs  from  wliom  ?  "  said  the  Varangian. 

''From  my  master  and  yonrs,"  answered  tlie  negi-o, 
bohUy. 

"  Tlioii  inlidel  villain!"  cxclaime<l  the  angry  soldier, 
"  when  was  it  that  we  became  fellow-ser\  ants,  and  who  is 
it  that  thou  darcst  to  call  my  master  ?  " 

"  One  who  is  master  of  the  world,"  said  the  slave, 
"  since  he  commands  his  own  passions." 

"I  shall  scarce  command  mine,"  said  the  Varangian, 
"  if  thou  repliest  to  my  earnest  questions  with  thine 
affected  quirks  of  philosophy.  Once  more,  what  dost 
thou  waul  willi  me?  and  why  hast  thou  the  boldness  to 
watch  me  ?  " 

"  I  have  told  thee  already,"  said  the  slave,  '*  that  I  do 
my  master's  commands." 

"  But  I  must  know  who  thy  master  is,"  said  Ilereward. 

"He  must  tell  thee  that  himself,"  replied  the  negro; 
"he  trusts  not  a  poor  slave  like  me  with  the  purpose  of 
the  errands  on  which  he  sends  me." 

"lie  has  left  thee  a  tongue,  however,"  said  the  Varan- 
gian, "  which  some  of  thy  countrymen  would,  I  think, 
be  glad  to  possess.  Do  not  provoke  me  to  abridge  it  by 
refusing  me  tlie  inforniaiion  whicii  I  liave  a  right  to 
demand." 

The  black  nicdilaled,  as  it  seenud  fiom  the  grin  on  his 
face,  further  evasions,  wluii  Ilereward  cut  them  short  by 
raising  the  statf  of  his  battle-axe.  "  Put  me  not,"  he  said, 
"to  dishonour  myself  by  striking  thee  with  this  weapon, 
calculated  for  a  use  so  much  more  noljle." 


COUNT    KOUEUT    OF    PAKIS.  175 

"  I  may  not  do  so,  valiant  sir,"  said  the  negro,  laying 
aside  an  impudent,  half-gibing  tone  which  he  had  hitherto 
made  use  of,  and  beti-aying  personal  fear  in  his  manner. 
"  If  you  beat  the  poor  slave  to  death,  you  cannot  learn 
what  his  master  hath  forbid  him  to  tell.  A  short  walk 
will  save  your  honour  the  stain,  and  yourself  the  trouble, 
of  beating  what  cannot  resist,  and  me  the  pain  of  enduring 
what  I  can  neither  retaliate  nor  avoid." 

"  Lead  on  then,"  said  the  Varangian.  "  Be  assured 
thou  shalt  not  fool  me  by  thy  fair  words,  and  I  will  know 
the  person  who  is  impudent  enough  to  assume  the  right 
of  watching  my  motions." 

The  black  walked  on  with  a  species  of  leer  peculiar  to 
his  physiognomy,  which  might  be  construed  as  expressive 
either  of  malice  or  of  mere  humour.  The  Varangian  fol- 
lowed him  with  some  suspicion,  for  it  happened  that  he 
had  had  little  intercourse  with  the  unhappy  race  of  Africa, 
and  had  not  totally  overcome  the  feeling  of  surprise  with 
which  he  had  at  first  regarded  them,  when  he  arrived  a 
stranger  from  the  north.  So  often  did  this  man  look  back 
upon  him  during  their  walk,  and  with  so  penetrating  and 
observing  a  cast  of  countenance,  that  Hereward  felt  irre- 
sistibly renewed  in  his  mind  the  English  prejudices,  which 
assigned  to  the  demons  the  sable  colour  and  distorted  cast 
of  visage  of  his  conductor.  The  scene  into  which  he  was 
guided,  strengthened  an  association  which  was  not  of  itself 
unlikely  to  occur  to  the  ignorant  and  martial  islander. 

The  negro  led  the  way  from  the  splendid  terraced 
walks  which  we  have  described,  to  a  path  descending  to 
the  sea-shore,  when  a  place  appeared,  which,  far  from 
being  trimmed,  like  other  parts  of  the  coast,  into  walks 
of  embankments,  seemed,  on  the  contrary,  abandoned  to 
neglect,  and  was  covered  with  the  mouldering  ruins  of 


17G  WAVKKI.KY    NOVr.I.S. 

antitiuity,  wlicre  tli«'.-r  liail  not  hccii  ovf'r<xro\vii  \)y  the 
luxuriant  vegetation  of  tlic  cliinato.  Tlicsc  fragments 
of  building,  occupying  a  sort  of  recess  of  tlio  bay,  were 
hidden  by  steep  banks  on  eacli  side,  and  although  in  fact 
they  formed  part  of  the  city,  yet  they  wen-  not  seen  from 
any  part  of  it,  and,  embosomed  in  the  manner  we  have 
described,  did  not  in  turn  command  any  view  of  the 
churches,  palaces,  towers,  and  fortifications,  amongst 
which  they  lay.  The  sight  of  this  solitary,  and  appar- 
ently deserted  spot,  encumbered  with  ruins,  and  over- 
grown with  cypress  and  other  trees,  situated  as  it  was  in 
the  midst  of  a  populous  city,  had  something  in  it  impres- 
sive and  aw  till  to  the  imagination.  Tlic  ruins  were  of  an 
ancient  date,  and  in  the  style  of  a  foreign  people.  The 
gigantic  remains  of  a  portico,  the  nnitilated  fragments  of 
statues  of  great  size,  but  executed  in  a  taste  and  attitude 
so  narrow  and  barbaric  as  to  seem  perfectly  the  reverse 
of  the  Grecian,  and  the  half-defaced  hieroglyphics  which 
could  be  traced  on  some  part  of  the  decayed  sculpture, 
corroborated  the  popular  accoiuit  of  their  origin,  which 
we  shall  briefly  detail. 

According  to  tradition,  this  had  been  a  temple  dedi- 
cated to  the  Egyptian  goddess  Cybele,  built  while  the 
Roman  Empire  was  yet  heathen,  and  while  Constantino- 
ple was  still  called  by  the  name  of  Byzantium.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  superstition  of  the  Egyptians — vulgarly 
gross  in  its  literal  meaning  as  well  as  in  its  mystical  inter- 
pretation, and  ])eeuliarly  the  foundation  of  many  wild 
doctrines, — was  disowned  l)y  the  principles  of  general 
toleration,  and  th<;  systrm  oC  ]iolylheism  received  l)y 
Rome,  and  was  excluded  \>y  repeated  laws  from  the  re- 
spect paid  by  the  empire  to  almost  every  other  religion, 
however    extravagant    or    ab-uid.       Nevertlu-less,    these 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS,  177 

Egyptian  rites  had  charms  for  the  curious  and  the  super- 
stitious, and  had,  after  long  ojiposition,  obtained  a  footing 
in  the  empire. 

Still,  although  tolerated,  the  Egyptian  priests  were 
rather  considered  as  sorcerers  than  as  pontiiFs,  and  their 
whole  ritual  had  a  nearer  relation  to  magic  in  popular 
estimation,  than  to  any  regular  system  of  devotion. 

Stained  with  these  accusations,  even  among  the  heathen 
themselves,  the  worship  of  Egypt  was  held  in  more  mortal 
abhorrence  by  the  Christians,  than  the  other  and  more 
rational  kinds  of  heathen  devotion ;  that  is,  if  any  at  all 
bad  a  right  to  be  termed  so.  The  brutal  worship  of  Apis 
and  Cybele  was  regarded,  not  only  as  a  2:)retext  for  ob- 
scene and  profligate  pleasures,  but  as  having  a  direct 
tendency  to  open  and  encourage  a  dangerous  commerce 
with  evil  spirits,  who  were  supposed  to  take  upon  them- 
selves, at  these  unhallowed  altars,  the  names  and  charac- 
ters of  these  foul  deities.  Not  only,  therefore,  the  temple 
of  Cybele,  with  its  gigantic  portico,  its  huge  and  inelegant 
statues,  and  its  fantastic  hieroglyphics,  was  thrown  down 
and  defaced  when  the  empire  was  converted  to  the  Chris- 
tian faith,  but  the  very  ground  on  which  it  stood  was  con- 
sidered as  polluted  and  unhallowed ;  and  no  Empei"or 
having  yet  occupied  the  site  with  a  Christian  church,  the 
place  still  remained  neglected  and  deserted  as  we  have 
described  it. 

The  Varangian  Hereward  was  perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  evil  reputation  of  the  place  ;  and  when  the  negro 
seemed  disposed  to  advance  into  the  interior  of  the  ruins, 
he  hesitated,  and  addressed  his  guide  thus  :  ''  Hark  thee, 
my  black  friend,  these  huge  fantastic  images,  some  having 
dogs'  heads,  some  cows'  heads,  and  some  no  heads  at  all, 
are  not  held  reverently  in  popular  estimation.    Your  own 

VOL.   XLVII.  12 


178  WAVKUI.KY    NOVELS. 

colour,  also,  my  coinra(k',  is  greatly  too  like  tliat  of  Satan 
himself,  to  render  you  an  unsuspicious  companion  amid 
ruins,  in  wliich  (lie  false  spirit,  it  is  said,  daily  walks 
his  rounds.  ISIidnight  and  Noon  are  the  times,  it  is 
rumoured,  of  his  appearance.  I  will  go  no  farther  with 
you,  unless  you  assign  me  a  fit  reason  for  so  doing." 

"  In  making  so  childish  a  pioposal,"  said  the  negro, 
"  you  take  from  me,  in  effect,  all  desire  to  guide  you  to 
my  master.  I  thought  I  spoke  to  a  man  of  invincihle 
courage,  and  of  that  good  sense  upon  which  courage  is 
best  founded.  But  your  valour  oidy  emboldens  you  to 
beat  a  black  slave,  who  has  neither  strength  nor  title  to 
resist  you  ;  and  your  courage  is  not  enough  to  enable  you 
to  look  without  trembling  on  the  dark  side  of  a  wall,  even 
when  the  sun  is  in  the  heavens." 

"  Thou  art  insolent,"  said  Ilereward,  raising  his  axe. 

"And  tlinii  art  foolish,"  said  tiie  ni-gi-o,  ''to  attempt  to 
prove  thy  maidiood  and  thy  wisdom  by  the  v<'ry  mode 
which  gives  reason  for  calling  them  both  in  cpicstion. 
I  have  already  said  there  can  be  little  valour  in  beating 
a  wretch  like  me ;  and  no  man,  surely,  who  wishes  to  dis- 
cover his  way,  would  begin  by  chasing  away  his  guide." 

"I  follow  thee" — said  Ilereward,  stinig  with  the  insin- 
uation of  cowardice ;  "but  if  llion  leadest  ine  into  a  snare, 
thy  free  talk  shall  not  save  thy  bones,  if  a  thousand  of  thy 
complexion,  from  earth  or  lull,  were  standing  ready  to 
back  tliee." 

"  Tlion  olijectest  sorelv  to  my  complexion,"  saiil  the 
negro  ;  "  how  knowest  th(»u  that  it  is,  in  fact,  a  thing  to 
be  counted  and  acted  upon  ;is  matter  of  reality  ?  Thine 
own  eyes  daily  apprise  thee,  that  the  colour  <p|'  the  sky 
nightly  changes  from  liright  to  black,  yei  thou  knowest 
that  this  is  by  no  means  owing  to  any  habitual  colour  of 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  179 

the  heavens  tliemselves.  The  same  change  that  takes 
place  in  the  hue  of  the  heavens,  has  existence  in  the 
tinge  of  the  deep  sea — How  canst  thou  tell,  but  what  the 
difference  of  my  coloui-  from  thine  own  may  be  owing  to 
some  deceptions  change  of  a  similar  nature — not  real  in 
itself,  but  only  creating  an  apparent  reality  ?  " 

"  Thou  mayst  have  painted  thyself,  no  doubt,"  answered 
the  Varangian,  upon  reflection,  "  and  thy  blackness,  there- 
fore, may  be  only  apparent ;  but  I  think  thy  old  friend 
himself  could  hardly  have  presented  these  grinning  lips, 
with  the  white  teeth  and  flattened  nose,  so  much  to  the 
life,  unless  that  peculiarity  of  Nubian  physiognomy,  as 
they  call  it,  had  accurately  and  really  an  existence ;  and, 
to  save  thee  some  trouble,  my  dark  friend,  I  will  tell  thee, 
that  though  thou  speakest  to  an  uneducated  Varangian, 
I  am  not  entirely  unskilled  in  the  Grecian  art  of  making 
subtle  words  pass  upon  the  hearers  instead  of  reason." 

"  Ay  ?  "  said  the  negro,  doubtfully,  and  somewhat  sur- 
prised ;  "  and  may  the  slave  Diogenes — for  so  my  master 
has  christened  me — inquire  into  the  means  by  which  you 
reached  knowledge  so  unusual  ?  " 

"  It  is  soon  told,"  replied  Hereward.  "  My  country- 
man, Witikind,  being  a  constable  of  our  bands,  retired 
from  active  service,  and  spent  the  end  of  a  long  life  in 
this  city  of  Constantinople.  Being  past  all  toils  of  battle, 
either  those  of  reality,  as  you  word  it,  or  the  pomp  and 
fatigue  of  the  exercising  ground,  the  poor  old  man,  in 
despair  of  something  to  pass  his  time,  attended  the  lec- 
tures of  the  philosophers." 

"And  what  did  he  learn  there  ?  "  said  the  negro  ;  "  for 
a  barbarian,  grown  gray  under  the  helmet,  was  not,  as  I 
think,  a  very  hopeful  student  in  our  schools." 

"As  much  though,  I  should  think,  as  a  menial  slave, 


180  WAVERLKY    NOVELS. 

wliicli  I  umlorstand  to  l>o  tliy  condition,"  replied  the  sol- 
di<>r.  "  15iit  I  have  nnderstood  from  liiin,  that  the  mas- 
ters of  this  idle  seienci'  make  it  their  Imsiness  to  substitute, 
in  their  arf^unientations,  mere  words  instead  of  ideas ;  and 
as  they  never  a;^ree  uj>on  the  precise  meaning  of  the 
former,  their  disputes  can  never  arrive  at  a  fair  or  settled 
conclusion,  since  they  do  not  agree  in  the  language  in 
•which  they  express  them.  Their  theories,  as  they  call 
them,  are  built  on  the  sand,  and  the  wind  and  tide  sliall 
prevail  against  thera." 

"Say  so  to  my  master,"  answere<l  the  l)lack,  in  a  seri- 
ous tone. 

"I  will,"  said  the  Varangian;  "  an<l  he  shall  know  me 
a3  an  ignorant  soldier,  having  Imt  few  ideas,  and  those 
only  concerning  my  religion  ami  my  military  duty.  But 
out  of  these  opinions  I  will  neither  be  beaten  by  a  battery 
of  sophisms,  nor  cheated  by  the  arts  or  the  terrors  of  the 
friends  of  heathenism,  either  in  this  world  or  the  next." 

"•  You  may  speak  your  mind  to  him  then  yourself,"  said 
Diogenes.  He  stepped  to  a  side  as  if  to  make  way  for 
the  Varangian,  to  whom  he  motioned  to  go  forward. 

Hereward  advanced  accordingly,  by  a  half-worn  and 
almost  imperceptible  patli  leading  thningh  the  long  rough 
grass,  and.  turning  round  a  halt'-demolislied  shrine,  which 
exhiljitetl  the  remains  of  A[)is,  the  lM)vinit  deily,  hi"  came 
immediately  in  front  of  the  pliilosoj)her,  Agelastes.  who, 
sitting  among  the  ruins,  reposed  his  lind>s  on  the  grass. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  181 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Through  the  vain  webs  which  puzzle  sophist's  skill, 
Plain  sense  and  honest  meaning  work  their  way ; 
So  sink  the  varying  clouds  upon  the  hill, 
When  the  clear  dawning  brightens  into  day. 

Dr.  Watts. 

The  old  man  rose  from  the  ground  with  alacrity,  as 
Hereward  approached.  "  My  bold  Varangian,"  he  said, 
"  thou  who  valuest  men  and  things  not  according  to  the 
false  estimate  ascribed  to  them  in  this  world,  but  to  their 
real  importance  and  actual  value,  thou  art  welcome,  what- 
ever has  brought  thee  hither — thou  art  welcome  to  a 
place,  where  it  is  held  the  best  business  of  philosophy  to 
strip  man  of  his  borrowed  ornaments,  and  reduce  him  to 
the  just  value  of  his  own  attributes  of  body  and  mind, 
singly  considered." 

"  You  are  a  courtier,  sir,"  said  the  Saxon,  "  and  as  a 
permitted  companion  of  the  Emperor's  Highness,  you 
must  be  aware,  that  there  are  twenty  times  more  cere- 
monies than  such  a  man  as  I  can  be  acquainted  with,  for 
regulating  the  different  ranks  in  society ;  Avhile  a  plain 
man  like  myself  may  be  well  excused  from  pushing  him- 
self into  the  company  of  those  above  him,  where  he  does 
not  exactly  know  how  he  should  comport  himself." 

"  True,"  said  the  philosopher ;  "  but  a  man  like  your- 
self, noble  Hereward,  merits  more  consideration  in  the 


182  WAVKHI.KY    NOVF.LS. 

eyes  of  a  rvn\  j)liiloso|iIit'r,  tliaii  a  thousand  of  those  mere 
insecLs,  wliom  the  smiles  of  a  eoiirt  call  into  life,  and 
whom  its  frowns  reduce  to  atjuihilation." 

"  You  are  yourself,  grave  sir,  a  tblluwcr  of  the  court," 
said  Here  ward. 

"And  a  most  punctilious  one,"  said  Agela>tes,  "  There 
is  not,  I  trust,  a  subject  in  the  empire  who  knows  hetler 
tlie  ten  thousand  punctilios  exigible  from  those  of  differ- 
ent ranks,  and  due  to  different  authorities.  The  man  is 
yet  to  be  born  who  has  seen  me  take  advantage  of  any 
more  commodious  posture  than  that  of  standing  in  pres- 
ence of  the  royal  family.  But  though  I  use  those  false 
scales  in  society,  and  so  far  confonn  to  its  errors,  ray  real 
judgment  is  of  a  more  grave  character,  and  more  worthy 
of  man,  as  said  to  be  formed  in  the  image  of  his  Creator." 

"  There  can  be  small  occasion,"  said  the  Varangian, 
"  to  exercise  your  judgment  in  any  n'spcct  upon  me,  nor 
am  I  desirous  that  any  one  should  think  of  me  otherwise 
than  I  am  ; — a  poor  exile,  namely,  who  endeavours  to  fix 
liis  faith  upon  Heaven,  and  to  perform  his  duty  to  the 
world  he  lives  in,  and  to  the  prince  in  whoso  service  he 
is  engaged. — And  now,  grave  sir,  permit  ine  to  ask, 
whether  this  meeting  is  by  your  desire,  and  for  what  is 
its  j)urpose  ?  An  African  slave,  whom  I  met  in  tlie  public 
walks,  and  who  calls  himself  Diogenes,  tells  me  that  you 
desired  to  speak  with  me  ;  he  hath  somewhat  the  humour 
of  the  old  scoffer,  and  so  he  may  have  lied.  If  so,  I  will 
even  forgive  him  the  beating  which  I  owe  his  jvssurance, 
and  make  my  excuse  at  iIk;  same  time  for  having  broken 
in  upon  your  retirement,  whidi  1  am  totally  unfit  to 
share." 

"  Diogenes  has  not  jilayed  you  false,"  answered  Age- 
lastes ;   he   has   ins   hutiiours,  as  you  remarked  even  now. 


COUNT  KOBERT  OF  PARIS.  183 

and  with  these  some  qualities  also  that  j^ut  him  upon 
a  level  with  those  of  fairer  complexion  and  better  fea- 
tures." 

"And  for  what,"  said  the  Varangian,  "  have  you  so 
employed  him  ?  Can  your  wisdom  possibly  entertain  a 
wish  to  converse  with  me  ?  " 

"  I  am  an  observer  of  nature  and  of  humanity,"  answered 
the  philosopher ;  "  is  it  not  natural  that  I  should  tire  of 
those  beings  who  are  formed  entirely  upon  artifice,  and 
long  to  see  something  more  fresh  from  the  hand  of 
nature  ?  " 

"You  see  not  that  in  me,"  said  the  Varangian;  "the 
rigour  of  military  discipline,  the  camp — the  centurion — 
the  armour — frame  a  man's  sentiments  and  limbs  to  them, 
as  the  sea-crab  is  framed  to  its  shell.  See  one  of  us,  and 
you  see  us  all." 

"  Permit  me  to  doubt  that,"  said  Agelastes ;  "  and  to 
suppose  that  in  Ilereward,  the  son  of  WaltheofF,  I  see  an 
extraordinary  man,  although  he  himself  may  be  ignorant, 
owing  to  his  modesty,  of  the  rarity  of  his  own  good  quali- 
ties." 

"The  son  of  Waltheoff ! "  answered  the  Varangian, 
somewhat  startled. — "  Do  you  know  my  father's  name  ?  " 

"  Be  not  surprised,"  answered  the  philosopher,  "  at  my 
possessing  so  simple  a  piece  of  information.  It  has  cost 
me  but  little  trouble  to  attain  it,  yet  I  would  gladly  hope 
that  the  labour  I  have  taken  in  that  matter  may  convince 
you  of  my  real  desire  to  call  you  friend." 

"  It  was  indeed  an  unusual  compliment,"  said  Here- 
ward,  "  that  a  man  of  your  knowledge  and  station  should 
be  at  the  trouble  to  inquire,  among  the  Varangian  co- 
horts, concerning  the  descent  of  one  of  their  constables. 
I  scarcely  think  that  my  commander,  the  Acolyte  himself. 


184  WAV1.HI.1.V     N(>\  K.I.S. 

wuuhl  tliink  tiicli  kiiuwkilge  worlliy  of  biiiig  colltcted  or 
preserved." 

"Greater   men    than   lie,"    said    Agelaslcs,   "certainly 

woidd  not You  know  one  in  liigli  oliiee,  who  thinks 

iIk'  names  of  his  most  faithi'nl  soldiers  of  less  moment 
than  those  of  his  hunting  dogs  or  his  hawks,  and  would 
willingly  save  himself  the  tronhle  of  ealling  them  other- 
wise tiian  hy  a  whisllt." 

"  I  may  not  hear  this,"  answered  the  Varangian. 

"  I  wouhl  not  offend  you,"  said  the  philosopher,  "  I 
Would  not  even  shake  your  good  opinion  of  the  person  I 
allude  to  ;  yet  it  surprises  me  that  such  should  he  enter- 
tained hy  one  of  your  great  qualities." 

"A  truce  with  this,  grave  sir,  which  is  in  fact  trifling  in 
a  person  of  your  character  and  appearance,"  answered 
the  Anglo-Saxon.  "I  am  like  the  rocks  of  my  country; 
the  fierce  winds  cannot  shake  me,  the  soft  rains  cannot 
melt  me;  flattery  and  loud  wcjrds  are  alike  lost  upon  me." 

"And  il  i^  cxcii  tin-  ihat  iiiflcxiliiiity  of  niiml,"  n|ilii'<l 
Agelastes,  "that  steady  contempt  of  every  thing  tiiat  ap- 
proaches thee,  save  in  the  light  of  a  duty,  that  I  demand, 
almost  like  a  hcggar,  lliat  jx  ixmal  ac(iiiaintaMcc.  which 
thou  refusest  like  a  churl." 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  Ilerewaid,  "  if  I  doid)t  this.  What- 
ever stories  you  may  have  picked  up  concerning  nir,  not 
unexaggerated  }»rohahly — since  the  Greeks  do  not  keep 
the  privilege  of  boasting  so  entirely  to  themselves  Imt  tin; 
A'arangians  have  learned  a  little  of  it — you  can  have 
heard  nothing  of  me  which  can  authorize  your  u>ing  your 
present  language,  excepting  in  je>i." 

"You  mistake,  my  .-on."  said  Agelastes;  "believe  me 
not  a  person  to  mix  in  the  idle  talk  respecting  you,  with 
your  comrades  at  the  ale-cup.    Such  a>  I  am.  I  can  strike 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  185 

on  this  broken  image  of  Anubis" — (here  he  touched  a 
gigantic  fragment  of  a  statue  by  his  side) — ''  and  bid  the 
spirit  who  long  prompted  the  oracle,  descend,  and  once 
more  reanimate  the  trembling  mass.  We  that  are  ini- 
tiated enjoy  high  privileges — we  stamp  upon  those  ruined 
vaults,  and  the  echo  which  dwells  there  answers  to  our 
demand.  Do  not  thinly  that  although  I  crave  thy  friend- 
ship, I  need  therefore  supplicate  thee  for  information 
either  respecting  thyself  or  others." 

"  Your  woi'ds  are  wonderful,"  said  the  Anglo-Saxon ; 
"  but  by  such  promising  woi'ds  I  have  heard  that  many 
souls  have  been  seduced  from  the  path  of  heaven.  My 
grandsire,  Kenelm,  was  wont  to  say,  that  the  fair  words 
of  the  heathen  philosophy  were  more  hurtful  to  the  Chris- 
tian faith  than  the  menaces  of  the  heathen  tyrants." 

"  I  knew  him,"  said  Agelastes.  "  What  avails  it 
whether  it  was  in  the  body  or  in  the  spirit? — He  was 
converted  from  the  faith  of  Woden  by  a  noble  monk,  and 
died  a  priest  at  the  shrine  of  Saint  Augustin."  * 

"  True  " — said  Hereward  ;  "  all  this  is  certain — and  I 
am  the  rather  bound  to  remember  his  words  now  that  he 
is  dead  and  gone.  When  I  hardly  knew  his  meaning,  he 
bid  me  beware  of  the  doctrine  which  causeth  to  err,  which 
is  taught  by  false  prophets,  who  attest  their  doctrine  by 
unreal  miracles." 

"  This,"  said  Agelastes,  "  is  mere  superstition.  Thy 
grandsire  was  a  good  and  excellent  man,  but  narrow- 
minded,  like  other  priests ;  and,  deceived  by  their  exam- 
ple, he  wished  but  to  open  a  small  wicket  in  the  gate  of 
truth,  and  admit  the  world  only  on  that  limited  scale. 
Seest  thou,  Hereward,  thy  grandsire  and  most  men  of 
religion  would  fain  narrow  our  intellect  to  the  considera- 
*  At  Canterbury. 


18G  WW  IKI.KY    NOVKI.S. 

tiou  of  surli  parts  of  tlio  iininatcrial  Avorhl  as  arc  essential 
to  our  moral  guidance  here,  an<l  our  linal  salvation  here- 
after; hut  it  is  not  the  less  true,  that  man  has  liherty, 
])n)vi(le(l  he  has  wisdom  and  eoura^^c*,  to  form  iutimaciea 
wilh  hein^'^s  iiiDrc  powcrfiil  tliaii  hiipself,  who  can  defy 
the  bounds  of  sjtace  by  whicli  he  is  cinumscriljed.  and 
overcome,  by  their  metaphysical  j)owers.  ditlicullies  which, 
to  the  timid  and  unlcarticd,  may  appear  wild  and  impos- 
sible." 

'•You  talk  of  a  folly,"  answered  Ilen-ward,  "at  which 
childhood  gapes  and  manhood  smiles." 

"On  the  contrary,"  said  the  sage,  "  I  talk  of  a  longing 
vvi-li  which  every  man  feels  at  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  to 
hold  comnuinication  with  beings  more  powerful  than  him- 
self, and  who  are  not  naturally  accessible  to  our  organs. 
Believe  me,  Ilereward,  so  ardent  and  universal  an  aspi- 
ration had  not  existed  in  our  bosoms,  had  there  not  also 
been  means,  if  steadily  and  wisely  sought,  of  attaining  its 
accomidishment.  I  will  ap[>eal  to  thine  own  heart,  and 
prove  to  thee,  even  by  a  single  word,  that  what  I  say  is 
truth.  Thy  thoughts  are  even  now  upon  a  being  long 
absent  or  dead,  and  with  the  name  of  Beutiia,  a  thou- 
sand emotions  rush  to  thy  heart,  which  in  thy  ignorance 
thou  hadst  esteemed  furled  up  for  ever,  liki-  spoils  of  the 
dead  hung  above  a  tombstone!  I — 'Thou  startest  and  cliang- 
est  thy  colour — I  joy  to  see  by  these  signs,  that  the  firm- 
ness and  induiiiiialile  courage  wiiich  nieii  ascril)e  to  thee, 
have  left  tlie  avemies  of  tlie  iieart  as  free  as  ever  to 
kindly  ami  to  generous  allections,  while  they  have  barred 
them  against  those  of  fear,  luicertainty,  and  all  the  caitiff 
tribe  of  meaner  sensation^.  I  have  proffered  to  esteem 
thee,  and  I  have  no  hesitation  in  proving  it.  I  will  tell 
thee,  if   thou    desirest   to   know    il.   the   fate   of  that  very 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  187 

Bertha,  whose  memory  thou  hast  cherished  in  thy  breast 
in  spite  of  thee,  amidst  the  toil  of  the  day  and  the  repose 
of  the  night,  in  the  battle  and  in  the  truce,  when  sporting 
with  thy  companions  in  fields  of  exercise,  or  attempting 
to  prosecute  the  study  of  Greek  learning,  in  which  if 
thou  wouldst  advance,  I  can  teach  it  by  a  short  road." 

While  Agelastes  thus  spoke,  the  Varangian  in  some 
degree  recovered  his  composure,  and  made  answer,  though 
his  voice  was  somewhat  tremulous, — 

"  Who  thou  art,  I  know  not — what  thou  wouldst  with 
me,  I  cannot  tell — by  what  means  thou  hast  gathered  in- 
telligence of  such  consequence  to  me,  and  of  so  little  to 
another,  I  have  no  conception — But  this  I  know,  that  by 
intention  or  accident,  thou  hast  pronounced  a  name  which 
agitates  my  heart  to  its  deepest  recesses ;  yet  am  1  a 
Christian  and  Varangian,  and  neither  to  my  God  nor  to 
my  adopted  prince  will  I  willingly  stagger  in  my  faith. 
What  is  to  be  wi'ought  by  idols  or  by  false  deities,  must 
be  a  treason  to  the  real  divinity.  Nor  is  it  less  certain 
that  thou  hast  let  glance  some  arrows,  though  the  rules 
of  thy  allegiance  strictly  forbid  it,  at  the  Emperor  him- 
self. Henceforward,  therefore,  I  refuse  to  communicate 
with  thee,  be  it  for  weal  or  woe.  I  am  the  Emperor's 
waged  soldier,  and  although  I  affect  not  the  nice  precis- 
ions of  respect  and  obedience,  which  are  exacted  in  so 
many  various  cases,  and  by  so  many  various  rules,  yet  I 
am  his  defence,  and  my  battle-axe  is  his  body-guard." 

"  No  one  doubts  it,"  said  the  philosopher.  "  But  art 
not  thou  also  bound  to  a  nearer  dependence  upon  the 
great  Acolyte,  Achilles  Tatius  ?  " 

"  No.  He  is  my  general,  according  to  the  rules  of  our 
service,"  answered  the  Varangian  ;  "  to  me  he  has  always 
shown  himself  a  kind  and   good-natured   man,  and,  his 


188 


^v A  ^•  i: u  1. 1-; y  n  o v  ic i, s . 


dues  of  rank  aparl,  I  may  say  lias  deported  himself  as  a 
friend  railicr  than  a  conimaiider.  He  is,  liowever,  my 
master's  servant  :is  well  as  I  am ;  nor  do  I  hold  the 
difference  of  great  amoinit,  which  the  word  of  a  man  can 
give  or  take  away  at  pleasure." 

"  It  is  nohly  spoken."  said  Agelastes  ;  "and  you  your- 
self are  surely  entitled  to  stand  erect  before  one  whom 
you  supersede  in  courage  and  in  the  art  of  war." 

"Pardon  me,"  returned  the  Briton,  "if  I  decline  the 
attributed  compliment,  as  what  in  no  respect  belongs  to 
me.  The  Emperor  chooses  his  own  officers,  in  respect 
of  their  power  of  serving  him  as  he  desires  to  be  served. 
In  this  it  is  likely  I  might  fail ;  I  have  said  already,  I 
owe  my  Kraj)eror  my  obedience,  my  duty,  and  my  ser- 
vice, nor  docs  it  seem  to  me  necessary  to  carry  our  ex- 
planation farther." 

"  Singidar  man !  "  said  Agelastes  ;  "  is  there  nothing 
that  can  move  thee,  but  things  that  are  foreign  to  thyself? 
The  name  of  thy  Emperor  and  thy  commander  are  no 
spell  upon  thcc,  and  even  that  of  the  object  thou  hast 
loved  " 

Here  the  Varangian  interrupted  him. 

"I  have  thought,"  he  said,  "  uj.on  the  words  thou  hast 
spoken — thou  hast  found  the  means  to  shake  my  heart- 
strings, but  not  to  unsettle  my  principles.  I  will  hold  no 
converse;  with  thee  on  a  matter  in  which  thou  canst  not 
hav<'  int«n-t. — Necromancers,  it  is  said,  perff)rMi  their 
spells  by  means  of  the  epithets  of  the  Holiest  ;  no  marvel, 
then,  should  they  use  the  names  of  the  purest  of  his  crea- 
tion to  serve  their  uidiallowed  purposes.  I  will  none  of 
such  truckling,  disgraceful  to  the  dead  perhaps  as  to 
the  living.  Whatever  has  been  thy  purpose,  old  man — 
for,  think  not  thy  strange  words  have  j)assed   unnoticed — 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  189 

be  thou  assured  I  bear  th:it  in  my  heart  wliieh  defies 
alike  the  seduction  of  men  and  of  fiends." 

With  tills  the  soldier  turned,  and  left  the  ruined  tem- 
ple, after  a  slight  inclination  of  his  head  to  the  philos- 
opher. 

Agelastes,  after  the  departure  of  the  soldier,  remained 
alone,  apparently  absorbed  in  meditation,  until  he  was 
suddenly  disturbed  by  the  entrance,  into  the  ruins,  of 
Achilles  Tatius.  The  leader  of  the  Varangians  spoke 
not  until  he  had  time  to  form  some  result  from  the  philos- 
opher's features.  He  then  said,  '•  Thou  remainest,  sage 
Agelastes,  confident  in  the  pui'pose  of  which  we  have 
lately  spoken  together?  " 

"  I  do,"  said  Agelastes,  with  gravity  and  firmness. 

"  But,"  replied  Achilles  Tatius,  "  thou  hast  not  gained 
to  our  side  that  proselyte,  whose  coolness  and  courage 
would  serve  us  better  in  our  hour  of  need  than  the  ser- 
vice of  a  thousand  cold-hearted  slaves  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  succeeded,"  answered  the  philosopher. 

"And  thou  dost  not  blush  to  own  it  ?  "  said  the  imperial 
officer  in  reply.  "  Thou,  the  wisest  of  those  who  yet 
pretend  to  Grecian  wisdom,  the  most  powerful  of  those 
who  still  assert  the  skill  by  words,  signs,  names,  periapts, 
and  spells,  to  exceed  the  sphei*e  to  which  thy  faculties 
belong,  hast  been  foiled  in  thy  trade  of  persuasion,  like 
an  infant  worsted  in  debate  with  its  domestic  tutor? 
Out  upon  thee,  that  thou  canst  not  sustain  in  ai-gument 
the  character  which  thou  wouldst  so  fain  assume  to 
thyself!" 

"  Peace !  "  said  the  Grecian.  "  I  have  as  yet  gained 
nothing,  it  is  true,  over  this  obstinate  and  inflexible  man  ; 
but,  Achilles  Tatius,  neither  have  I  lost.  We  both  stand 
where  yesterday  we  did,  with  this  advantage  on  my  side, 


190 


AVAVKIU.KY    NOVKLS. 


thiiL  I  have  suggested  to  Iiim  such  :m  object  of  interest  as 
he  shall  never  be  able  to  exj)*'!  from  his  mind,  until  he 
hath  had  recourse  to  me  to  obtain  farther  knowledge  con- 
cerning it. — And  now  let  this  singular  person  remain  for 
a  time  unmentioned ;  yet,  trust  me,  though  flattery, 
avarice,  and  ambition  may  fail  to  gain  him,  a  bait 
nevertheless  remains,  that  shall  make  him  as  completely 
our  own  as  any  that  is  bound  within  our  mystic  and  in- 
\iolable  contract.  Tell  me  then,  how  go  on  the  affairs 
of  the  empire?  Does  this  tide  of  Latin  warriors,  so 
strangely  set  aflowing,  still  rush  on  to  the  banks  of  the 
Bosjjhorus?  and  does  Alexius  still  entertain  h()i)es  to 
diminish  and  divide  the  strength  of  numbers,  which  he 
could  in  vain  hope  to  defy  ?  " 

"  Something  further  of  intelligence  has  been  gained, 
even  within  a  very  few  hours,"  answered  Achilles  Tatius. 
''  liohemond  came  to  the  city  with  some  six  or  eight  light 
horse,  and  in  a  species  of  disguise.  Considering  how 
often  he  had  been  the  Em[)eror's  enemy,  his  project  was 
a  perilous  one.  But  when  is  it  that  these  Fianks  draw 
back  on  account  of  danger  ?  The  Emperor  peiccived  at 
once  that  the  Count  was  come  to  see  what  he  ini'dit 
obtain,  by  presenting  himself  as  the  very  first  object  of 
his  liljcrality,  and  Ity  (ifTering  his  assistance  as  mediator 
with  Godfrey  of  Botiiildu  and  the  other  [trinces  of  the 
crusade." 

"It  is  a  sj)ecies  of  policy,"  an-weicd  the  sage,  "  for 
whit  h  he  woidd  receive  full  credit  from  tin-  Emperor." 

Achilles  Tatius  proceeded  :  "  Cdunl  I'xilieinoiid  was 
discovered  to  the  imperial  court  as  if  il  were  bv  mere 
accident,  and  he  was  welcomed  with  marks  of  favour  and 
splendour  which  had  never  been  even  mentioned  as  being 
fit   for   any  one  of   the    l-'raiiki-h    ra<i'.       Tliere    Wiis   no 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  191 

word  of  ancient  enmity  or  of  former  wars,  no  mention 
of  Bohemond  as  the  ancient  usurper  of  Antioch,  and 
the  encroacher  upon  the  empire.  But  thanks  to  Heaven 
were  returned  on  all  sides,  wliich  had  sent  a  faithful  ally 
to  the  imperial  assistance  at  a  moment  of  such  imminent 
peril." 

"  And  what  said  Bohemond  ? "  inquired  the  philos- 
opher. 

"  Little  or  nothing,"  said  the  captain  of  the  Varan- 
gians, "  until,  as  I  learned  from  the  domestic  slave  Narses, 
a  large  sum  of  gold  had  been  abandoned  to  him.  Con- 
siderable districts  were  afterwards  agreed  to  be  ceded  to 
him,  and  other  advantages  granted,  on  condition  he  should 
stand  on  this  occasion  the  steady  friend  of  the  empire  and 
its  master.  Such  was  the  Emperor's  munificence  towards 
the  greedy  barbarian,  that  a  chamber  in  the  palace  was, 
by  chance,  as  it  were,  left  exposed  to  his  view,  containing 
large  quantities  of  manufactured  silks,  of  jewellers'  work, 
of  gold  and  silver,  and  other  articles  of  great  value. 
When  the  rapacious  Frank  could  not  forbear  some  ex- 
pressions of  admiration,  he  was  assured,  that  the  contents 
of  the  treasure-chamber  w^ere  his  own,  provided  he 
valued  them  as  showing  forth  the  warmth  and  sincerity 
of  his  imperial  ally  towards  his  friends ;  and  these  pre- 
cious articles  were  accordingly  conveyed  to  the  tent  of 
the  Norman  leader.  By  such  measures,  the  Emperor 
must  make  himself  master  of  Bohemond,  both  body  and 
soul,  for  the  Franks  themselves  say  it  is  strange  to  see  a 
man  of  undaunted  bravery,  and  towering  ambition,  so  in- 
fected, nevertheless,  with  avarice,  which  they  term  a 
mean  and  unnatural  vice." 

"  Bohemond,"  said  Agelastes,  "  is  then  the  Emperor's 
for  life  and  death — always,  that  is,  till  the  recollection  of 


102  ■VVAVI.KI.KV    NOVI'.I.S. 

the  royal  iniiiiificcnc*!  be  cffac'cil  by  a  greater  gratuity. 
Alexius,  proud  as  he  naturally  is  of  his  management  with 
this  important  chieftain,  will  no  doubt  expect  to  ])revail 
by  his  counsels,  on  most  of  the  other  crusaders,  and  even 
on  Godfrey  of  Bouillon  himself,  to  take  an  oalli  of  sul)- 
mission  and  fidelity  to  the  Emperor,  which,  were  it  not 
for  the  sacred  nature  of  their  warfare,  tlie  meanest  gentle- 
man among  ihrm  wunld  not  submit  to.  were  it  to  be  lord 
of  a  province.  Tiiere,  then,  we  rest.  A  few  days  must 
determine  what  we  have  to  do.  An  earlier  discovery 
would  be  destruction." 

"  We  meet  not  then  to-night  ?  "  said  tiie  Acolyte. 

"No,"  replied  the  sage  ;  "  unless  we  are  summoned  to 
that  foolish  stage-play  or  recitation  ;  and  then  w»;  meet  as 
playthings  in  the  hand  of  a  silly  woman,  the  spoiled  child 
of  a  weak-minded  ]>arent." 

Tatius  then  took  his  leave  of  the  jdiilosopher,  and.  as 
if  fearful  of  l>eing  seen  in  each  otlier's  company,  they 
left  their  scjiitary  place  of  meeting  by  ditlerent  routes. 
The  Varangian,  llereward,  received,  sliortly  after,  a 
summons  from  his  superior,  who  acquainted  hiui,  that  he 
should  not,  as  tornn'rly  iiitimate(l,  reijuire  hi^  attendance 
that  evening. 

Achilles  then  paused,  and  added, — "  Tiiou  hast  some- 
thing on  thy  lips  thou  wouldst  say  to  me,  wliiili,  never- 
theless, hesitates  to  break  forth." 

"  It  is  only  this,"  answered  the  soldier :  "  I  have  had 
an  interview  witli  the  man  called  Agelastes,  and  he  seems 
something  so  diirerent  from  wliat  In;  ap]teareil  when  we 
last  spoke  of  liim.  llial  I  (mmmoI  furli.ar  nu'iilinning  to 
you  what  I  have  seen,  lie  is  not  an  insignificant  trifler, 
whose  object  it  is  to  raise  a  iaiigli  at  his  own  expense,  or 
that  of  any  otli<  r.     Ilr  i-  a  dirp-ihiiiking  and  far-reaching 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  193 

man,  who,  for  some  reason  or  other,  is  desirous  of  forming 
friends,  and  drawing  a  party  to  himself.  Your  own  wis- 
dom will  teach  you  to  bewai'c  of  him." 

"  Thou  art  an  honest  fellow,  my  poor  Ilereward,"  said 
Achilles  Tatius,  with  an  affectation  of  good-natured  con- 
tempt. "  Such  men  as  Agelastes  do  often  frame  their 
severets  jests  in  the  shape  of  formal  gravity — they  will 
pretend  to  possess  the  most  unbounded  power  over 
elements  and  elemental  spirits — they  will  make  them- 
selves masters  of  the  names  and  anecdotes  best  known  to 
those  whom  they  make  their  sport ;  and  any  one  who 
shall  listen  to  them,  shall,  in  the  words  of  the  divine 
Homer,  only  expose  himself  to  a  flood  of  inextinguish- 
able laughter.  I  have  often  known  him  select  one  of  the 
rawest  and  most  ignorant  persons  in  presence,  and  to 
him,  for  the  amusement  of  the  rest,  he  has  pretended  to 
cause  the  absent  to  appear,  the  distant  to  draw  near,  and 
the  dead  themselves  to  burst  the  cerements  of  the  grave. 
Take  care,  Hereward,  that  his  arts  make  not  a  stain  on 
the  credit  of  one  of  my  bravest  Varangians." 

"  There  is  no  danger,"  answered  Hereward.  "  I  shall 
not  be  fond  of  being  often  with  this  man.  If  he  jests 
upon  one  subject  which  he  hath  mentioned  to  me,  I  shall 
be  but  too  likely  to  teach  him  seriousness  after  a  rough 
manner.  And  if  he  is  serious  in  his  pretensions  in  such 
mystical  matters,  we  should,  according  to  the  faith  of  my 
grandfather,  Kenelm,  do  insult  to  the  deceased,  whose 
name  is  taken  in  the  mouth  of  a  soothsayer,  or  impious 
enchanter.  I  will  not,  therefore,  again  go  near  this 
Agelastes,  be  he  wizard,  or  be  he  impostor." 

"  You  apprehend  me  not,"  said  the  Acolyte,  hastily ; 
"  you  mistake  my  meaning.  He  is  a  man  fi'om  whom,  if 
he  pleases  to  converse  with  such  as  you,  you  may  derive 

VOL.   XLVII.  13 


194  WAVKRLET    NOVELS. 

mucli  knowledge  ;  keeping  out  of  the  roach  of  those 
pretended  secret  arts,  whicli  he  will  only  use  to  turn 
thee  into  ridicule."  With  these  words,  which  he  him- 
self would  perhaps  have  felt  it  difficult  to  reconcile,  the 
leader  and  his  follower  parted. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  195 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Between  the  foaming  jaws  of  the  white  torrent, 
The  slcilful  artist  draws  a  sudden  mound ; 
By  level  long  he  subdivides  their  strength, 
Stealing  the  waters  from  their  rocky  bed. 
First  to  diminish  what  he  means  to  conquer; 
Then,  for  the  residue  he  forms  a  road, 
Easy  to  lieep,  and  painful  to  desert, 
And  guiding  to  the  end  the  planner  aini'd  at. 

The  Engineee. 

It  would  have  been  easy  for  Alexius,  by  a  course  of 
avowed  suspicion,  or  any  false  step  in  the  manner  of 
receiving  this  tumultuary  invasion  of  the  European  na- 
tions, to  have  blown  into  a  flame  the  numerous  but 
smothered  grievances  under  which  they  laboured ;  and  a 
similar  catastrophe  would  not  have  been  less  certain,  had 
he  at  once  abandoned  all  thoughts  of  resistance,  and 
placed  his  hope  of  safety  in  surrendering  to  the  multi- 
tudes of  the  west  whatsoever  they  accounted  worth  taking. 
The  Emperor  chose  a  middle  course ;  and,  unquestion- 
ably, in  the  weakness  of  the  Greek  empire,  it  was  the 
only  one  which  would  have  given  him  at  once  safety,  and 
a  great  degree  of  consequence  in  the  eyes  of  the  Frank 
invaders  and  those  of  his  own  subjects.  The  means  with 
which  he  acted  were  of  various  kinds,  and,  rather  from 
policy  than  inclination,  were  often  stained  with  falsehood 
or  meanness ;  therefore  it  follows,  that  the  measures  of 


196  AVAVr.KI.KY    NOVELS. 

the  Emp(.ror  ros»'iiil)l('(l  those  of  the  siiako,  who  twines 
himself  through  the  grass,  with  the  purpose  of  stinging 
insidiously  those  whom  he  fears  to  api)roach  with  the 
step  of  the  bold  and  generous  lion.  AVe  are  not,  how- 
ever, writing  the  History  of  the  Crusades,  and  what  we 
have  already  said  of  the  Emjjeror's  precautions  on  the 
first  appearance  of  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  and  his  asso- 
ciates, may  suffice  for  the  elucidation  of  our  story. 

About  four  weeks  had  now  passed  over,  marked  by 
quarrels  and  reconcilements  between  the  crusaders  and 
the  Grecians  of  the  empire.  Tlie  lormer  were,  as  Alex- 
ius's  policy  dictated,  occasionally  and  individually  received 
with  extreme  honour,  and  their  leaders  loaded  with  re- 
spect and  favour ;  while,  from  time  to  time,  such  bodies 
of  them  as  sought  distant  or  circuitous  routes  to  the  cap- 
ital, were  intercepted  and  cut  to  pieces  by  light-armed 
troops,  who  easily  passed  upon  their  ignorant  opponents 
for  Turks,  Scythians,  or  other  infidels,  and  sometimes 
were  actually  such,  but  in  the  service  of  the  Grecian 
monarch.  Often,  too,  it  hai)pcned,  that  while  the  more 
powerful  chiefs  of  the  crusade  were  feasted  by  the  Em- 
peror and  his  ministers  with  the  richest  delicacies,  and 
their  thirst  slaked  with  iced  wines,  their  followers  were 
left' at  a  distance,  where,  intentionally  supplied  with  adul- 
terated flour,  tainted  provisions,  and  bad  water,  they 
contracted  diseases,  and  died  in  great  numbers,  without 
having  once  seen  a  foot  of  the  Holy  Land,  for  the  recov- 
ery of  which  they  had  al)andoned  their  peace,  their  com- 
petence, and  thi'ir  native  country.  These  aggressions  did 
not  pass  without  complaint.  Many  of  the  crusading 
chiefs  inifjUgned  thf!  fidelity  of  their  allies,  exposed  the 
losses  sustained  by  their  armies  as  evils  voluntarily  in- 
flicte<I  on  them    by  the   Greeks,  and  on  inDn-  than  one 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  197 

occasion,  the  two  nations  stood  opposed  to  each  other  on 
such  terms  that  a  general  war  seemed  to  be  inevitable. 

Alexius,  however,  though  obliged  to  have  recourse  to 
every  finesse,  still  kept  his  ground,  and  made  peace  with 
the  most  powerful  chiefs,  under  one  pretence  or  other. 
The  actual  losses  of  the  crusaders  by  the  sword,  he  im- 
puted to  their  own  aggressions — their  misguidance,  to 
accident  and  to  wilfulness — the  effects  produced  on  them 
by  the  adulterated  provisions,  to  the  vehemence  of  their 
own  appetite  for  raw  fruits  and  unripened  wines.  In 
short,  there  was  no  disaster  of  any  kind  whatsoever 
which  could  possibly  befall  the  unhappy  pilgrims,  but  the 
Emperor  stood  prepared  to  prove  that  it  was  the  natural 
consequence  of  their  own  violence,  wilfulness  of  conduct, 
or  hostile  precipitancy. 

The  chiefs,  Avho  were  not  ignorant  of  their  strength, 
would  not,  it  was  likely,  have  tamely  suffered  injuries 
from  a  power  so  inferior  to  their  own,  were  it  not  that 
they  had  formed  extravagant  ideas  of  the  wealth  of  the 
Eastern  empire,  which  Alexius  seemed  willing  to  share 
with  them  with  an  excess  of  bounty  as  new  to  the  leaders 
as  the  rich  productions  of  the  East  Avere  tempting  to  their 
followers. 

The  French  nobles  would  perhaps  have  been  the  most 
difficult  to  be  brought  into  order  when  differences  arose  ; 
but  an  accident,  which  the  Emperor  might  have  termed 
providential,  reduced  the  high-spirited  Count  of  Verman- 
dois  to  the  situation  of  a  suppliant,  when  he  expected  to 
hold  that  of  a  dictator.  A  fierce  tempest  surprised  his 
fleet  after  he  set  sail  from  Italy,  and  he  was  finally  driven 
on  the  coast  of  Greece.  Many  ships  were  destroyed,  and 
those  troops  who  got  ashore  were  so  much  distressed,  that 
they  were  obhged  to  surrender  themselves  to  the  lieuten- 


108  WAVKin.r.v  novki.s. 

ants  of  Alexius.  So  tlial  the  Count  of  Vcrmjindois,  so 
liauglity  in  liis  bearing  wlu-n  hv  first  embarked,  was  sent 
to  the  court  of  Constantinoiile,  not  as  a  prince,  but  as  a 
prisoner.  In  this  ease,  the  Enii)eror  instantly  set  the 
soldiers  at  liberty,  and  loaded  them  witli  presents.* 

Grateful,  therefore,  for  attentions  in  wliieh  Alexius  was 
unremitting,  Count  Hugh  was  by  gratitude  as  well  as  in- 
terest, inclined  to  join  the  opinion  of  those  who,  for  otlier 
reasons,  desired  the  subsistence  of  peace  betwixt  the 
crusaders  and  the  empire  of  Greece.  A  better  principle 
determined  the  celebrated  Godfrey,  Raymond  of  Thou- 
louse,  and  some  others,  in  whom  devotion  was  something 
more  than  a  mere  burst  of  fanaticism.  These  jjrinces 
considered  with  what  scandal  their  whole  journey  must 
be  stained,  if  the  first  of  their  exploits  should  be  a  war 
upon  the  Grecian  empire,  which  might  justly  be  called 
the  barrier  of  Christendom.  If  it  was  weak,  and  at  the 
same  time  rich — if  at  the  same  time  it  invited  rapine,  and 
was  unable  to  protect  itself  against  it — it  was  the  more 
their  interest  and  duty,  as  Christian  soldiers,  to  protect  a 
Christian  state,  whose  existence  was  of  so  much  conse- 
quence to  the  common  cause,  even  when  it  could  not  de- 
fend itself.  It  was  the  wish  of  these  frank-hearted  men 
to  receive  the  Emperor's  professions  of  friendship  with 
such  sincere  returns  of  amity — to  return  his  kindness 
with  so  much  usury,  as  to  convince  him  that  their  pur- 
pose towards  him  was  in  every  respect  fair  and  Iidiiour- 
able,  and  that  it  would  be  his  interest  to  abstain  from 
every  injurious  treatment  which  might  induce  or  compel 
them  to  alter  their  measures  towards  him. 

It  was  with  this  accommodating  spirit  towards  Alexius, 
which,  for  many  different  and  complicated  reasons,  had 
*  Sec  Mills's  History  of  the  Crusadof,  vol.  i.  p.  t»(j. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  199 

now  animated  most  of  the  crusaders,  that  the  chiefs  con- 
sented to  a  measure  which,  in  other  circumstances,  they 
would  probably  have  refused,  as  undue  to  the  Greeks, 
and  dishonourable  to  themselves.  This  was  the  famous 
resolution,  that,  before  crossing  the  Bosphorus  to  go  in 
quest  of  that  Palestine,  which  they  had  vowed  to  regain, 
each  chief  of  crusaders  would  acknowledge  individually 
the  Grecian  Emperor,  originally  lord  paramount  of  all 
these  regions,  as  their  liege  lord  and  suzerain. 

The  Emperor  Alexius,  with  trembling  joy,  beheld  the 
crusaders  approach  a  conclusion  to  which  he  had  hoped 
to  bribe  them  rather  by  interested  means  than  by  reason- 
ing, although  much  might  be  said  why  provinces,  recon- 
quered from  the  Turks  or  Saracens  should,  if  recovered 
from  the  infidel,  become  again  a  part  of  the  Grecian  em- 
pire, from  which  they  had  been  rent  without  any  pretence 
save  that  of  violence. 

Though  fearful,  and  almost  despairing  of  being  able  to 
manage  the  rude  and  discordant  army  of  haughty  chiefs, 
who  were  wholly  independent  of  each  other,  Alexius 
failed  not,  with  eagerness  and  dexterity,  to  seize  upon  the 
admission  of  Godfrey  and  his  compeers,  that  the  Emperor 
was  entitled  to  the  allegiance  of  all  who  should  war  on 
Palestine,  and  natural  lord  paramount  of  all  the  conquests 
which  should  be  made  in  the  course  of  the  expedition. 
He  was  resolved  to  make  this  ceremony  so  public,  and  to 
interest  men's  minds  in  it  by  such  a  display  of  the  impe- 
rial pomp  and  munificence,  that  it  should  not  either  pass 
unknown,  or  be  readily  forgotten. 

An  extensive  terrace,  one  of  the  numerous  spaces 
which  extend  along  the  coast  of  the  Propontis,  was 
chosen  for  the  site  of  the  magnificent  ceremony.  Here 
was  placed  an  elevated  and  august  throne,  calculated  for 


200 


"vvAvr.in.KY  Novr.i," 


the  u-o  of  llio  Emperor  alone.  On  this  ucca-ion,  by 
suffering  no  other  seats  uilhin  view  of  the  jjageant,  the 
Greeks  omh-avonred  to  secure  a  point  of  cereniony  pecu- 
liarly dear  to  their  vanity,  namely,  that  none  of  that 
presence,  save  the  Emperor  himself,  should  he  seated. 
Around  the  throne  of  Alexius  Comnenus  were  i)laced  in 
ordi'r,  but  standing,  the  various  dignitaries  of  his  splendid 
court,  in  their  different  ranks,  from  the  Protosebastos  and 
the  Ca?sar,  to  the  Patriarch,  splendid  in  his  ecclesiastical 
robes,  and  to  Agelastes,  who,  in  his  simple  habit,  gave 
also  the  necessary  attendance.  Behind  and  around  the 
splendid  display  of  the  P^mperor's  court,  were  drawn 
many  dark  circles  of  the  exiled  Anglo-Saxons.  These, 
by  their  own  desire,  were  not,  on  that  memorable  day, 
accoutred  in  the  silver  corslets  which  were  the  fashion  of 
an  idle  eonrt,  but  sheathed  in  mail  and  plate.  They  de- 
sired, they  said,  to  be  known  as  warriors  to  warriors. 
This  was  the  more  readily  granted,  as  there  was  no 
knowing  what  trifle  might  infringe  a  truce  between  par- 
ties so  inflammable  as  were  now  assembled. 

Beyond  tlie  Varangians,  in  much  greater  numbers, 
were  drawn  up  the  bands  of  Grecians,  or  Komans,  then 
known  by  the  title  of  Immortals,  which  had  been  bor- 
rowed by  the  Romans  originally  from  the  empire  of 
Persia.  Tin;  stately  forms,  lofty  crests,  and  splendid  ap- 
paiid  of  these  guards,  would  have  given  the  foreign 
princes  pi-r'scnt  a  higher  idea  of  their  militarv  prowess, 
had  thi-re  not  oecurrerl  in  their  ranks  a  fre(pient  indica- 
tion of  lofpiacity  and  of  motion  forming  a  strong  contrast 
to  the  steady  composure  and  death-like  silence  with  which 
the  well-trained  Varangians  stood  in  the  parade,  like 
statues  made  of  iron. 

The  reader  must   then   conceive  this   throne   in   all   the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  201 

pomp  of  Oriental  greatness,  siirronnded  by  the  foreign 
and  Roman  troo[)s  of  the  empire,  and  closed  on  the  rear 
by  clouds  of  light-horse,  who  shifted  their  places  repeat- 
edly, so  as  to  convey  an  idea  of  their  multitude,  without 
affording  the  exact  means  of  estimating  it.  Through  the 
dust  which  they  raised  by  these  evolutions,  might  be  seen 
banners  and  standards,  among  which  could  be  discovered 
by  glances,  the  celebrated  Labarum,*  the  pledge  of 
conquest  to  the  imperial  banners,  but  whose  sacred  effi- 
cacy had  somewhat  failed  of  late  days.  The  rude  soldiers 
of  the  West,  who  viewed  the  Grecian  army,  maintained 
that  the  standards,  which  were  exhibited  in  front  of  their 
line,  were  at  least  sufficient  for  the  array  of  ten  times  the 
number  of  soldiers. 

Far  on  the  right,  the  appearance  of  a  very  large  body 
of  European   cavalry  drawn   up   on   the   sea-shore,  inti- 

*  Ducange  fills  half  a  column  of  his  huge  page  with  the  mere  names 
of  the  authors  who  have  written  at  length  on  the  Labarum,  or  prin- 
cipal standard  of  the  empire  for  the  time  of  Coustantine.  It  consisted 
of  a  spear  of  silver,  or  plated  with  that  metal,  having  suspended  from 
a  cross  beam  below  the  spoke  a  small  square  silken  banner,  adorned 
with  portraits  of  the  reigning  family,  and  over  these  the  famous 
Monogram  which  expresses  at  once  the  figure  of  the  cross  and  the 
initial  letters  of  the  name  of  Christ.  The  bearer  of  the  Labarum  was 
an  officer  of  high  rank  down  to  the  last  days  of  the  Byzantine  govern- 
ment.    See  Gibbon,  chap.  20. 

Ducange  seems  to  have  proved,  from  the  evidence  of  coins  and 
triumphal  monuments,  that  a  standard  of  the  form  of  the  Labarum 
was  used  by  various  barbarous  nations  long  before  it  was  adopted  by 
their  Roman  conquerors,  and  he  is  of  opinion  that  its  name  also  was 
borrowed  from  either  Teutonic  Germany,  or  Celtic  Gaul,  or  Sclavonic 
Illyria.  It  is  certain  that  either  the  German  language  or  the  Welsh 
may  afford  at  this  day  a  perfectly  satisfactory  etymon:  Lap-heer  in 
the  former  and  Lab-hair  in  the  latter,  having  precisely  the  same 
meaning — the  cloth  of  the  host. 

The  form  of  the  Labarum  may  still  be  recognised  in  the  banners 
carried  in  ecclesiastical  processions  in  all  Roman  Catholic  countries. 


202  -NVAVKUI-KY    NOVELS. 

mated  tlio  pri'.>(^nci.'  of  the  cni^atlor.^.  So  great  was  the 
desire  to  follow  tiie  exaiiiitle  of  the  ehief  Princes,  Dukes, 
and  Counts,  in  making  tlie  jiroposed  fealty,  that  the  num- 
ber of  independent  kniglits  and  nobles  who  were  to  per- 
form this  service,  seemed  very  great  when  collected  to- 
gether for  that  purpose  ;  for  every  crusader  who  pos- 
sessed a  tower,  and  led  six  lances,  would  have  thought 
himself  abridged  of  his  dignity  if  he  had  not  been  called 
to  acknowledge  the  Grecian  Emperor,  and  hold  the  lands 
he  should  conquer  of  his  tlirone,  as  well  as  Godfrey  of 
Bouillon,  or  Hugh  the  Great,  Count  of  Vermandois.  And 
yet,  with  strange  inconsistency,  though  tliey  pressed  to 
fulfil  the  lioniage,  as  that  wliieli  was  paid  by  greater  per- 
sons than  themselves,  they  seemed,  at  the  very  same 
time,  desirous  to  find  some  mode  of  intimating  that  the 
homage  which  they  rendered  they  felt  as  an  idle  degrada- 
tion, and  in  fact  held  the  whole  show  as  a  mere  j)iece  of 
mockery. 

The  order  of  the  procession  had  been  tlius  settled  : — 
The  Crusaders,  or,  as  the  Grecians  called  them,  the 
Counts,  —  that  being  the  most  common  title  among 
them, — were  to  advance  from  the  left  of  their  body,  and 
passing  the  Emperor  one  by  one,  were  apprizeil,  tliat,  in 
passing,  each  was  to  render  to  him,  in  as  few  words  as 
possible,  the  homage  which  had  been  jjreviously  agreed 
on.  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  his  brother  Baldwin,  Bohe- 
mond  of  Antioch,  and  several  other  crusaders  of  emi- 
nence, were  the  first  to  perform  the  ceremony,  alighting 
when  their  own  part  was  jjerformed,  and  reinaining  in 
attendance  by  the  Emperor's  chair,  to  prevent,  by  the 
awe  of  their  presence,  any  of  their  numerous  associates 
from  being  guilty  of  petulance  or  presumption  during  the 
solemnity.     Other  crusaders  of  less  degree  retained  their 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  203 

station  near  the  Emperor,  when  they  had  once  gained  it, 
out  of  mere  curiosity,  or  to  show  that  they  were  as  much 
at  Hberty  to  do  so  as  the  gi-eater  commanders  who  as- 
sumed that  privilege. 

Thus  two  great  bodies  of  troops,  Grecian  and  Euro- 
pean, paused  at  some  distance  from  each  other  on  the 
banks  of  the  Bosphorus  canal,  differing  in  language, 
arms,  and  appearance.  The  small  troops  of  horse  which 
from  time  to  time  issued  forth  from  these  bodies,  resem- 
bled the  flashes  of  lightning  passing  from  one  thunder- 
cloud to  another,  which  communicate  to  each  other  by 
such  emissaries  their  overcharged  contents.  After  some 
ialt  on  the  margin  of  the  Bosphorus,  the  Franks,  who 
had  performed  homage,  straggled  irregularly  forward  to 
a  quay  on  the  shore,  where  innumei'able  galleys  and 
smaller  vessels,  provided  for  the  purpose,  lay  with  sails 
and  oars  prepared  to  waft  the  warlike  pilgrims  across 
the  passage,  and  place  them  on  that  Asia  which  they 
longed  so  passionately  to  visit,  and  from  which  but  few 
of  them  were  likely  to  return.  The  gay  appearance  of 
the  vessels  which  were  to  receive  them,  the  readiness 
with  which  they  were  supplied  with  refreshments,  the 
narrowness  of  the  strait  they  had  to  cross,  the  near  ap- 
proach of  that  active  service  which  they  had  vowed  and 
longed  to  discharge,  put  the  warriors  into  gay  spirits,  and 
songs  and  music  bore  chorus  to  the  departing  oars. 

While  such  was  the  temper  of  the  crusaders,  the 
Grecian  Emperor  did  his  best  through  the  whole  cere- 
monial to  impress  on  the  armed  multitude  the  highest 
ideas  of  his  own  grandeur,  and  the  importance  of  the 
occasion  which  had  brought  them  together.  This  was 
readily  admitted  by  the  higher  chiefs  ;  some  because  their 
vanity  had  been  propitiated, — some  because  their  avarice 


204  WAVKULEY    NOVICLS. 

had  been  gratified, — some  because  their  ambition  had 
been  inflamed, — and  a  few,  a  very  few,  because  to  re- 
main friends  with  Alexius  was  tlie  most  probable  means 
of  advancing  the  purposes  of  their  expedition.  Accord- 
ingly the  great  lords,  from  these  various  motives,  practised 
a  lunnility  wliich  j)erliap<  they  were  far  from  feelinjr,  and 
carefully  abstained  from  all  which  might  seem  like  irrev- 
erence at  the  solemn  festival  of  the  Grecians.  But 
there  were  very  many  of  a  difTerent  temper. 

Of  the  great  number  of  counts,  lords,  and  knights, 
under  whose  variety  of  banners  the  crusaders  were  led 
to  the  walls  of  Constantinople,  many  were  too  insignifi- 
cant to  be  bribeil  to  this  distasteful  measure  of  homage ; 
and  these,  though  they  felt  it  dangerous  to  oppose  resist- 
ance, yet  mixed  their  submission  with  taunts,  ridicule, 
and  such  contraventions  of  decorum,  as  plainly  intimated 
that  they  entertained  resentment  and  scorn  at  the  step 
they  were  about  to  take,  and  esteemed  it  as  proclaiming 
themselves  vassals  to  a  prince,  heretic  in  his  faith,  limited 
in  the  exercise  of  his  boasted  power,  their  enemy  when 
he  dared  show  himself  such,  and  the  friend  of  those 
only  among  thrii-  number  who  were  able  to  compel  him 
to  be  so ;  and  who,  though  to  them  an  obsequious  ally, 
was  to  the  others,  when  occasion  offered,  an  insidious  and 
murderous  enemy. 

The  nobles  of  Fraukish  origin  and  descent  were  ciiiefly 
remarkable  fov  tlnir  presumptuous  contempt  of  every 
other  nation  engagccl  in  the  crusa<le,  as  well  a>  for  their 
dauntless  bravery,  and  for  the  scorn  with  which  they 
regarded  the'  power  and  authority  of  the  (Jreek  empire. 
It  was  a  common  saying  among  them,  that  if  the  skies 
should  fall,  the  French  crusaders  alone  were  able  to  hold 
them  uj)  with  thrir  lances.      TIk;  same  IxjJd  and  arrogant 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  205 

disposition  showed  itself  in  occasional  quarrels  with  their 
unwilling  hosts,  in  which  the  Greeks,  notwithstanding  all 
their  art,  were  often  woi-sted ;  so  that  Alexius  was  deter- 
mined, at  all  events,  to  get  rid  of  these  intractable  and 
fiery  allies,  by  ferrying  them  over  the  Bosphorus,  with 
all  manner  of  diligence.  To  do  this  with  safety,  he 
availed  himself  of  the  presence  of  the  Count  of  Ver- 
mandois,  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  and  other  chiefs  of  great 
influence,  to  keep  in  order  the  lesser  Frankish  knights, 
who  were  so  numerous  and  unruly.* 

Struggling  with  his  feelings  of  offended  pride,  tempered 
by  a  prudent  degree  of  apprehension,  the  Emperor  en- 
deavoured to  receive  with  complacence  a  homage  ten- 
dered in  mockery.  An  incident  shortly  took  place  of  a 
character  highly  descriptive  of  the  nations  brought 
together  in  so  extraordinary  a  manner,  and  with  such 
different  feelings  and  sentiments.  Sevei-al  bands  of 
French  had  passed,  in  a  sort  of  procession,  the  throne 
of  the  Emperor,  and  rendered,  with  some  appearance  of 
gravity,  the  usual  homage.  On  this  occasion  they  bent 
their  knees  to  Alexius,  placed  their  hands  within  his, 
and  in  that  posture  paid  the  ceremonies  of  feudal  fealty. 
But  when  it  came  to  the  turn  of  Bohemond  of  Antioch, 
already  mentioned,  to  render  this  fealty,  the  Emperor, 
desirous  to  show  every  species  of  honour  to  this  wily 
person,  his  former  enemy,  and  now  apparently  his  ally, 
advanced  two  or  three  paces  towards  the  sea-side,  where 
the  boats  lay  as  if  in  readiness  for  his  use. 

The  distance  to  which  the  Emperor  moved  was  very 

small,  and  it  was  assumed  as  a  piece  of  deference  to 

Bohemond  ;  but  it  became  the  means  of  exposing  Alexius 

himself  to  a  cutting  affront,  which  his  guards  and  subjects 

*  See  Mills,  vol.  i.  chap.  3. 


206  WAVF.RI.F.Y    NOVELS. 

felt  deeply,  as  an  intentional  humiliation.  A  half  score 
of  horsemen,  attendants  of  the  Frankish  Count  who  was 
next  to  pei-form  the  homage,  with  their  lord  at  their  head, 
set  off  at  full  gallop  from  the  right  flank  of  the  French 
squadrons,  ^nd  arriving  before  the  throne,  which  was  yet 
empty,  they  at  once  halted.  The  rider  at  the  head  of  the 
band  was  a  strong  Herculean  figure,  with  a  decided  and 
stern  countenance,  though  extremely  handsome,  looking 
out  from  thick  black  curls.  His  head  was  surmounted 
with  a  barret  cap,  while  his  hands,  limbs,  and  feet  were 
covered  with  garments  of  chamois  leather,  over  which  he 
in  general  wore  the  ponderous  and  complete  armour  of  his 
country.  This,  however,  he  had  laid  aside  for  personal 
convenience,  though  in  doing  so  he  evinced  a  total  neglect 
of  the  ceremonial  which  marked  so  important  a  meeting. 
He  waited  not  a  moment  for  the  Emperor's  return,  nor 
regarded  tlie  impropriety  of  obliging  Alexius  to  hurry 
his  steps  back  to  his  throne,  but  sprung  from  his  gigantic 
horse,  and  threw  the  reins  loose,  whii^h  were  instantly 
seized  by  one  of  the  attendant  pages.  Without  a 
moment's  hesitation  the  Frank  seated  himself  in  the 
vacant  throne  of  the  Emperor,  and  extending  his  half- 
armed  and  robust  figure  on  the  golden  cushions  whicli 
were  destined  for  Alexius,  he  indolently  began  to  caress 
a  large  wolf-hound  which  had  followed  him,  and  which, 
feeling  itself  as  much  at  ease  as  its  master,  reposed  its 
grim  form  on  the  carpets  of  silk  and  gold  damask,  which 
tapestried  the  imperial  footstool.  The  very  hound 
stretched  itself  with  a  bohl,  ferocious  insolence,  and 
seemed  to  regard  no  one  with  respect,  save  the  stern 
knight   whom   it  ciillcd   master. 

The    Emperor,    turning    back    from    the    short    space 
which,  as  a  special  mark  of  favour,  he  had  accompanied 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  207 

Bohomond,  beheld  with  astonishment  liis  seat  occupied 
by  this  insolent  Frank.  The  bands  of  the  half-savage 
Varangians  who  were  stationed  around,  would  not  have 
hesitated  an  instant  in  avenging  the  insult,  by  prostrating 
the  violator  of  their  master's  throne  even  in  this  act  of  his 
contempt,  had  they  not  been  restrained  by  Achilles  Tatius 
and  other  officers,  who  were  uncertain  what  the  Eniperor 
would  do,  and  somewhat  timorous  of  taking  a  resolution 
for  themselves. 

Meanwhile,  the  unceremonious  knight  spoke  aloud,  in 
a  speech  which,  though  provincial,  might  be  understood 
by  all  to  whom  the  French  language  was  known,  while 
even  those  who  understood  it  not,  gathered  its  interpreta- 
tion from  his  tone  and  manner.  "  What  churl  is  this," 
he  said,  "  who  has  remained  sitting  stationary  like  a  block 
of  wood,  or  the  fragment  of  a  rock,  when  so  many  noble 
knights,  the  flower  of  chivalry  and  muster  of  gallantry, 
stand  uncovered  around,  among  the  thrice  conquered 
Varangians  ?  " 

A  deep,  clear  accent  replied,  as  if  from  the  bottom  of 
the  earth,  so  like  it  was  to  the  accents  of  some  being  from 
the  other  world, — "  If  the  Normans  desire  battle  of  the 
Varangians,  they  will  meet  them  in  the  lists  man  to  man, 
without  the  poor  boast  of  insulting  the  Emperor  of 
Greece,  who  is  well  known  to  fight  only  by  the  battle- 
axes  of  his  guard." 

The  astonishment  was  so  great  when  this  answer  was 
heard,  as  to  affect  even  the  knight,  whose  insult  upon  the 
Emperor  had  occasioned  it ;  and  amid  the  efforts  of 
Achilles  to  retain  his  soldiers  within  the  bounds  of  sub- 
ordination and  silence,  a  loud  murmur  seemed  to  intimate 
that  they  would  not  long  remain  so.  Bohemond  returned 
through  the  press  with  a  celerity  which  did  not  so  well 


208  WAVKULEY    NOVKLS. 

suit  the  dignity  of  Alexius,  and  catcliing  the  crusader  by 
the  arm,  he,  something  between  fair  means  ami  a  gentle 
degree  of  force,  obliged  him  to  leave  the  chair  of  the 
Emperor,  in   which  he  had  placed  himself  so  boldly. 

''How  is  it,"  said  Bohemond,  "noble  Count  of  Paris? 
Is  there  one  of  this  great  assembly  who  can  see  with 
patience,  that  your  name,  so  widely  renowned  for  valour, 
is  now  to  be  quoted  in  an  idle  brawl  with  hirelings, 
whose  utmost  boast  it  is  to  bear  a  mercenary  batlle-axe 
in  the  ranks  of  the  Emperor's  guards?  For  shame — for 
shame — do  not,  fur  the  discredit  of  Norman  chivalry,  let 
it  be  sol" 

"I  know  not,"  said  the  crusader,  rising  reluctantly — "I 
am  not  nice  in  choosing  the  degree  of  my  adversary, 
when  he  bears  himself  like  one  who  is  willing  and  for- 
ward in  battle.  I  am  good-natured,  I  tell  tlu^e.  Count 
Bohemond  ;  and  Turk  or  Tartar,  or  wandering  Anglo- 
Saxon,  who  only  escapes  from  the  chain  of  the  Normans 
to  become  the  slave  of  the  Greek,  is  equally  welcome  to 
whet  his  blade  clean  against  my  armour,  if  he  desires  to 
achieve  such  an  honourable  oflice." 

The  Emperor  had  heard  what  |)a<se(l — had  heard  it 
with  indignation,  mixed  with  fear;  for  he  imagined  the 
whole  scheme  of  his  policy  was  about  to  be  overturned  at 
once  by  a  premciditated  plan  of  personal  affront,  and 
probably  an  assault  upon  his  person.  He  was  about  to 
call  to  arms,  wljen,  casting  his  eyes  on  tiie  right  flank  of 
the  crusaders,  he  saw  that  all  remained  quiet  after  the 
Frank  Baron  had  transferred  hiin-ielf  from  tiieiice.  He 
therefore  instantly  resolved  to  let  thi'  insult  pass,  as  one 
of  the  rough  plciu<antri<'s  of  the  Franks,  since  the  ad- 
vance of  more  troops  did  not  give  any  symptom  of  aa 
actual  onset. 


COITNT    ROBERT    OP    PARIS.  209 

Resolving  on  his  line  of  conduct  with  the  quickness  of 
thought,  he  glided  buck  to  his  canopy,  and  stood  beside 
his  throne,  of  which,  however,  he  chose  not  instantly  to 
take  possession,  lest  he  should  give  the  insolent  stranger 
some  ground  for  renewing  and  persisting  in  a  competition 
for  it. 

"  What  bold  Vavasour  is  this,"  said  he  to  Count  Bald- 
win, "  whom,  as  is  apparent  from  his  dignity,  I  ought  to 
have  received  seated  upon  my  throne,  and  who  thinks 
proper  thus  to  vindicate  his  rank  ?  " 

"  He  is  reckoned  one  of  the  oravest  men  in  our  host," 
answered  Baldwin,  "  though  the  brave  are  as  immerous 
there  as  the  sands  of  the  sea.  He  will  himself  tell  you 
his  name  and  rank." 

Alexius  looked  at  the  Vavasour.  He  saw  nothing  in 
his  large,  well-formed  features,  lighted  by  a  wild  touch  of 
enthusiasm  which  spoke  in  his  quick  eye,  that  intimated 
premeditated  insult,  and  was  induced  to  suppose  that 
what  had  occurred,  so  contrary  to  the  form  and  cere- 
monial of  the  Grecian  court,  was  neither  an  intentional 
affi-ont,  nor  designed  as  the  means  of  introducing  a 
quarrel.  He  therefore  spoke  with  comparative  ease, 
when  he  addressed  the  stranger  thus :  "  We  know  not 
by  what  dignified  name  to  salute  you ;  but  we  are  aware, 
from  Count  Baldwin's  information,  that  we  are  honoured 
in  having  in  our  presence  one  of  the  bravest  knights 
whom  a  sense  of  the  wrongs  done  to  the  Holy  Land  has 
brought  thus  far  on  his  way  to  Palestine,  to  free  it  from 
its  bondage." 

'"  If  you  mean  to  ask  my  name,"  answered  the  Euro- 
pean knight,  "  any  one  of  these  pilgrims  can  readily 
satisfy  you,  and  more  gracefully  than  I  can  myself; 
since  we  use  to  say  in  our  country,  that  many  a  fierce 

VOL.  XLVII.  14 


210  WAVKKLKV    NOVKI.S. 

quarrel  is  prevented  from  being  fought  out  by  an  un- 
timely disclo-ure  of  names,  wlien  men,  who  might  have 
fought  with  the  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes,  must, 
when  their  names  arc  manifested,  recognise  each  other 
as  spiritual  allies,  by  baptism,  gossipred,  or  some  such 
irresislil)le  bond  of  friendship ;  whereas,  had  tiiey  fought 
first  and  told  their  names  afterwards,  they  c-ould  have 
had  some  assurance  of  each  other's  valour,  and  have 
been  able  to  view  their  relationsiiip  as  an  honour  to 
both." 

"  Still,"  said  the  Emperoi",  "  raethinks  I  would  know  if 
you,  who  in  this  extraordinary  press  of  knights,  seem  to 
assert  a  precedence  to  yourself,  claim  the  dignify  due  to 
a  king  or  prince  ?  " 

'•  How  speak  you  that?"  said  tlie  Frank,  with  a  brow 
somewhat  overclouded;  "do  you  i'cf\  lliat  I  iiave  not 
left  you  unjostled  by  my  advance  to  these  sciuadions  of 
yours  ?  " 

Alexius  hastened  to  answer,  that  he  felt  no  jjarticular 
desire  to  connect  the  Count  with  an  affront  or  oflTence ; 
observing,  that  in  the  extreme  necessity  of  the  Empire,  it 
was  no  time  for  liiin.  wlio  was  at  tin-  helm,  to  engage  in 
idle  or  unnecessary  ipiarrel-;. 

The  Prankish  knigiif  beard  him.  :ui(l  answen-d  dryly — 
'*  Since  such  are  your  sentiments,  I  W(mder  that  you  have 
ever  resided  long  enough  within  tlie  hearing  of  th<^  French 
language  to  learn  to  speak  it  as  you  do.  I  would  liave 
thought  some  of  the  sentiments  of  the  chivalry  of  the  na- 
tion, since  you  are  neithi'r  a  monk  nor  a  woman,  would, 
at  the  same  time  with  the  word>  of  th(?  dialect,  have 
fouml  their  way  into  your  iieart." 

"  Hush,  Sir  Count,"  said  liohemdud,  who  rem:tini'(l  ])y 
tlie    Finperor  to  avert    tin-    tbrentening    cpiarrel.      "It   is 


COUNT    ROIJKRT    OF    PAltlS.  211 

surely  requisite  to  answer  the  Emperor  with  civility  ;  and 
those  who  are  impatient  for  warfai'e,  will  have  infidels 
enough  to  wage  it  with,  lie  only  demanded  your  name 
and  lineage,  which  you  of  all  men  can  have  least  objec- 
tion to  disclose." 

"  I  know  not  if  it  will  interest  this  prince,  or  Empei'or 
as  you  term  him,"  answered  the  Frank  Count ;  "  but  all 
the  account  I  can  give  of  myself  is  this : — In  the  midst 
of  one  of  the  vast  forests  which  occupy  the  centre  of 
France,  my  native  country,  there  stands  a  chapel,  sunk 
so  low  into  the  ground,  that  it  seems  as  if  it  w-ere  become 
decrpi)it  by  its  own  great  age.  The  image  of  the  Holy 
Virgin  who  presides  over  its  altar,  is  called  by  all  men 
Our  Lady  of  the  Broken  Lances,  and  is  accounted  through 
the  whole  kingdom  the  most  celebrated  for  military  ad- 
ventures. Four  beaten  roads,  each  leading  from  an  op- 
posite point  in  the  compass,  meet  before  the  principal 
door  of  the  chapel ;  and  ever  and  anon,  as  a  good  knight 
arrives  at  this  place,  he  passes  in  to  the  performance  of 
his  devotions  in  the  chapel,  having  first  sounded  his  horn 
three  times,  till  ash  and  oak-tree  quiver  and  ring.  Having 
then  kneeled  down  to  his  devotions,  he  seldom  arises  from 
the  mass  of  Her  of  the  Broken  Lances,  but  there  is  at- 
tending on  his  leisure  some  adventurous  knight  ready  to 
satisfy  the  new  comer's  desire  of  battle.  This  station 
have  I  held  for  a  month  and  more  against  all  comers, 
and  all  gave  me  fair  thanks  for  the  knightly  manner  of 
quitting  myself  towards  them,  except  one,  who  had  the 
evil  hap  to  fall  from  his  horse,  and  did  break  his  neck ; 
and  another,  who  was  struck  through  the  body,  so  that 
the  lance  came  out  behind  his  back  about  a  cloth-yard, 
all  dripping  with  blood.  Allowing  for  such  accidents, 
which  cannot  easily  be  avoided,  my  opponents  parted  with 


212  WAVKHl.KY    NOVKLS. 

ine  witli  fair  ackiuiu  Icd^^inont  of  the  grace  I  iiad  done 
tlu'in." 

"  I  conceive,  Sir  Knight,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  that  a 
form  like  yours,  animated  by  tlie  courage  you  disphiy,  is 
likely  to  find  few  equals  even  among  your  adventurous 
countrymen;  far  less  among  men  who  are  taugiit  that  to 
cast  away  their  lives  in  a  senseless  quarrel  among  them- 
selves, is  to  tiirow  away,  like  a  boy,  the  gift  of  Providence." 

•'  You  are  welcome  to  your  opinion,"  said  the  Frank, 
>oin('wIiat  contemptuously;  "yet  I  assure  you,  if  you 
(loiilil  tliat  oiii-  jiallaiit  strife  was  uiiniixi'd  witli  sullcnness 
and  anger,  and  that  we  hunt  not  tiie  iiart  or  the  hojir 
with  merrier  hearts  in  the  evening,  than  we  discharge 
our  ta-k  of  chivalry  by  the  morn  had  arisen,  before  the 
jjortal  of  the  old  diapel,  you  do  us  fotd  injustice." 

"  With  the  Turks  you  will  not  (^njoy  this  amiable  ex- 
change of  courtesies,"  answered  Alexius.  "  Wherefore  I 
would  advise  you  neither  to  stray  far  into  the  van  nor 
into  the  rear,  but  to  abide  by  the  standard  where  the  best 
infiflels  make  their  efibrts,  and  tlic  liest  knights  are  re- 
quired to  repel  them." 

"By  Our  Laily  ui'  the  Droken  Lance-,"  -aid  the  Cru- 
sader, "  I  woidd  not  tliat  the  Turks  were  more  courteous 
than  they  are  Ciiristian,  and  am  well  pleased  that  unbe- 
liever an<l  lieathen  iiouiid  an'  a  proper  description  for  the 
best  of  them,  a>  being  traitor  alike  to  their  God  and  lo 
the  laws  of  chivalry  ;  and  devoutly  do  I  trust  tliat  I  .-.hall 
meet  with  them  in  the  front  rank  of  our  army,  be<ide  our 
standard,  or  elsewhere,  and  have  an  open  Held  to  do  ray 
devoir  against  them,  both  as  the  enemies  of  Our  Lady 
and  the  h(»ly  saints,  and  a-;,  by  their  evil  customs,  more 
expressly  my  own.  Meanwhile  yon  liaxc  lime  to  seat 
your-elf   and  receive   my  homage,  and  I  uill  be   lionnd  lo 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  213 

you  for  dispatcliing  tliis  foolish  ceremony  with  as  little 
waste  and  delay  of  time  as  the  occasion  will  permit." 

The  Emperor  hastily  seated  himself,  and  received  into 
his  the  sinewy  hands  of  the  Crusader,  who  made  the 
acknowledgment  of  his  homage,  and  was  then  guided  off 
by  Count  Baldwin,  who  walked  with  the  stranger  to  the 
ships,  and  then,  apparently  well  pleased  at  seeing  him  in 
the  course  of  going  on  board,  returned  back  to  the  side 
of  the  Emperor. 

"  What  is  the  name,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  of  that  sin- 
gular and  assuming  man  ?  " 

"  It  is  Robert,  Count  of  Paris,"  answered  Baldwin, 
"  accounted  one  of  the  bravest  peers  who  stand  around  the 
throne  of  France." 

After  a  moment's  recollection,  Alexius  Comnenus  issued 
orders,  that  the  ceremonial  of  the  day  should  be  discon- 
tinued, afraid,  perhaps,  lest  the  rough  and  careless  humour 
of  the  strangers  should  produce  some  new  quarrel.  The 
crusaders  were  led,  nothing  loth,  back  to  palaces  in  which 
they  had  already  been  hospitably  received,  and  readily 
resumed  the  interrupted  feast,  from  which  they  had  been 
called  to  pay  their  homage.  The  trumpets  of  the  various 
leaders  blew  the  recall  of  the  few  troops  of  an  ordinary 
character  who  were  attendant,  together  with  the  host  of 
knights  and  leaders,  who,  pleased  with  the  indulgences 
provided  for  them,  and  obscurely  foreseeing  that  the  pas- 
sage of  the  Bosphorus  would  be  the  commencement  of 
their  actual  suffering,  rejoiced  in  being  called  to  the  hither 
side. 

It  was  not  probably  intended  ;  but  the  hero,  as  he  might 
be  styled,  of  the  tumultuous  day.  Count  Robert  of  Paris, 
who  was  already  on  his  road  to  embarkation  on  the  strait, 
was  disturbed  in  his  purpose  by  the  sound  of  recall  which 


214  -WAVKIU-KY    NOVKLS. 

was  I'choed  aroiiiul ;  nor  could  Bohoniond,  Godfrey,  or 
any  wlio  look  upon  him  (o  explain  tlir  siirnal.  alter  his 
resolution  of  returning'  to  ('(»nstanliii<)]ilf.  He  lauLrhed  to 
scorn  the  threatf-ned  displeiuiure  of  tiie  Kniperor,  and 
seemed  to  think  there  would  be  a  peculiar  pleasure  in 
bravinjr  Alexius  at  his  own  board,  or,  at  least,  that 
nothing  could  be  more  indiflTerent  than  whether  he  gave 
offence  or  not. 

To  Godfrey  of  Bouillon,  to  whom  he  showed  some 
respect,  he  was  still  far  from  paying  deference  ;  and  that 
sagacious  prince,  having  used  every  argument  wliicli 
might  shake  his  purpose  of  returning  to  the  imperial  city, 
to  the  very  point  of  making  it  a  ([uarrel  with  him  in  per- 
son, at  length  a])andoncd  him  to  his  own  discretion,  and 
pointed  him  out  to  the  Count  of  Tiioulouse,  as  he  passed, 
ai  a  wild  knight-errant,  incapable  of  being  influenced  by 
any  thing  save  his  own  wayward  fancy.  "  lie  brings  not 
five  hundred  men  to  the  crusade,"  said  Godfrey  ;  "and  I 
dare  be  sworn,  that  even  in  this,  the  very  outset  of  the 
undertaking,  he  knows  not  where  these  five  hundred  men 
are,  and  how  their  wants  are  j)rovided  for.  There  is  an 
eternal  trumpet  in  his  ear  sounding  to  {issault,  nor  has  he 
room  or  time  to  hear  a  milder  or  more  rational  signal. 
See  how  he  strolls  along  y(»nder,  the  very  emblem  of  an 
idle  .-chooUioy,  broke  out  of  the  school-bounds  ujion  a 
holi<lay,  half  animati'(l  by  curiosity  and  half  by  love  (tf 
mischief." 

"And,"  said  Raymond,  Count  of  Thoulouse,  "with  reso- 
lution suiricient  to  support  the  desperate  purpose  of  the 
whole  army  of  devoted  crusaders.  And  yet  so  passionate 
a  Roflomont  is  Count  Hol)ert,  that  hi'  would  rather  risk 
the  success  of  the  whole  expedition,  than  omit  an  opj)or- 
tunity  of  meeting  a  worthy  antagonist  en  cliainp-clus,  or 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  215 

lose,  as  he  terms  it,  a  chance  of  worshipping  Our  Lady 
of  the  Broken  Lances.  Who  are  yon  with  whom  he  has 
now  met,  and  who  are  apparently  walking,  or  rather  stroll- 
ing, in  the  same  way  with  him,  back  to  Constantinople  ? " 

"An  armed  knight,  brilliantly  equipped — yet  of  some- 
thing less  than  kniglitly  stature,"  answered  Godfrey.  "It 
is,  I  suppose,  the  celebrated  lady  who  won  Robert's  heart 
in  the  lists  of  battle,  by  bravery  and  valour  equal  to  his 
own ;  and  the  pilgrim  form  in  the  long  vestments  may  be 
their  daughter  or  niece." 

"  A  singular  spectacle,  worthy  Knight,"  said  the  Count 
of  Thoulouse,  "  do  our  days  present  to  us,  to  which  we 
have  had  nothing  similar,  since  Gaita,*  wife  of  Robert 
Guiscard,  first  took  upon  her  to  distinguish  herself  by 
manly  deeds  of  emprise,  and  rival  her  husband,  as  well  in 
the  front  of  battle  as  at  the  dancing-room  or  banquet." 

"  Such  is  the  custom  of  this  pair,  most  noble  knight," 
answered  another  Crusader,  who  had  joined  them,  "  and 
Heaven  pity  the  poor  man  who  has  no  power  to  keep 
domestic  peace  by  an  appeal  to  the  stronger  hand  ! " 

*  This  Amazon  makes  a  conspicuous  figure  in  Anna  Comnena's 
account  of  her  father's  campaigns  against  Robert  Guiscard.  On  one 
occasion  (Alexiad,  lib.  iv.  p.  93)  she  represents  her  as  thus  recalling 
the  fugitive  soldiery  of  her  husband  to  their  duty, — 'H  6e  ye  Taira, 
lialAag  uXAr],  nuv  fiy  'A&ijVTj,  Kar'  avTuv  [xsyiaTtjv  a<pelaa  (^uvr/v,  fiovo- 
voi)  TO  'OurjpLKOV  EKOC  Ty  I6la  SiakinTLi  T^yeiv  euKEL  Mexpt  noaov  <I>ev- 
^ea&e ;  ottite,  avipeg  egte.  'i2f  6e  etl  (jtEvyovTac  rovrovg  iupa,  66pv 
uaKpov  EvajKokiaafiEVT],  okovg  ()VTfjpar  svdovaa  Karu  tuv  (pEvyovruv  Ietoi. 
— That  is,  exhoi'ting  them,  in  all  but  Homeric  language,  at  the  top  of 
her  voice;  and  when  this  failed, brandishing  a  long  spear,  and  rushing 
upon  the  fugitives  at  the  utmost  speed  of  her  horse. 

This  heroic  lady,  according  to  the  Chronlque  Scandaleiise  of  those 
days,  was  afterwai'ds  deluded  by  some  cunning  overtures  of  the  Greek 
Emperor,  and  poisoned  her  husband  in  expectation  of  gaining  a  place 
on  the  throne  of  Constantinople.  Ducange,  however,  rejects  the  story, 
and  so  does  Gibbon. 


216  WAVKItl.r.V    NOVKI.S. 

"  Wrll  I  "  replied  RaymoiKi.  •'  if  it  1)«^  rather  a  mortify- 
iiif;  nricclion,  tliat  tlie  la<ly  of"  our  love  is  far  past  the 
bloom  of  youth,  it  is  a  coii.-olatioii  that  <]\c  is  too  ol<l- 
fashioned  to  heat  ns,  when  we  return  hack  with  no  more 
of  youth  or  manhood  than  a  long  crusade  has  left.  But 
come,  follow  on  the  road  to  Constantinoplf.  and  in  the 
rear  of  this  most  doujrhtv  knijrht." 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  217 


CHAPTER  X. 

Those  were  wild  times — the  antipodes  of  ours : 
Ladies  were  there,  who  oftener  saw  themselves 
In  the  broad  lustre  of  a  foeman's  shield 
Than  in  a  mirror,  and  who  rather  sought 
To  match  themselves  in  battle,  than  in  diiUiance 
To  meet  a  lover's  onset. — But  though  Nature 
Was  outraged  thus,  she  was  not  overcome. 

Feudal  Times. 

Brenhilda,  Countess  of  Paris,  was  one  of  those  stal- 
wart dames  who  willingly  hazarded  themselves  in  the 
front  of  battle,  which,  during  the  first  crusade,  was  as 
common  as  it  was  possible  for  a  very  unnatural  custom  to 
be,  and,  in  fact,  gave  the  real  instances  of  the  Marphisas 
and  Bradamantes,  whom  the  writers  of  romance  delighted 
to  paint,  assigning  them  sometimes  the  advantage  of  invul- 
nerable armour,  or  a  spear  whose  thrust  did  not  admit  of 
being  resisted,  in  order  to  soften  the  improbability  of  the 
weaker  sex  being  frequently  victorious  over  the  male  part 
of  the  creation. 

But  the  spell  of  Brenhilda  was  of  a  more  simple  nature, 
and  rested  chiefly  in  her  great  beauty. 

From  a  girl  she  despised  the  pursuits  of  her  sex ;  and 
they  who  ventured  to  become  suitors  for  the  hand  of  the 
young  Lady  of  Aspramonte,  to  which  warlike  fief  she  had 
succeeded,  and  which  perhaps  encouraged  her  in  her  fancy, 
received  for  answer,  that  they  must  first  merit  it  by  their 


218  WAVr.ItLKY    \OVKLS. 

;roo(l  Ix-havioiir  in  the  lists.  The  fntlior  of  Broiiliilda  was 
(lead  ;  licr  iiuttlier  was  of  a  gentle  temper,  and  easily  kt-pt 
under  inanagcnK  iit  by  the  young  lady  herself. 

Brenhilda's  nmneruus  suitors  readily  agreed  to  terms 
whieh  were  too  much  aeeording  to  the  manners  of  the  age 
to  be  disputed.  A  tournament  was  held  at  the  Ciustle  of 
Aspramonte,  in  which  one  half  of  the  gallant  assembly 
rolled  headlong  before  their  successful  rivals,  and  with- 
drew from  the  lists  mortified  and  disappointed.  The 
sucees-ful  party  among  the  suitors  were  expected  to  be 
summoned  to  jfiust  among  themselves,  lint  ihry  were 
surprised  at  being  made  acquainted  with  the  lady's  fur- 
ther will.  She  a-pired  to  wear  armour  herself,  to  wield 
a  lance,  and  l)ack  a  steed,  and  piayed  the  knights  that 
they  would  permit  a  lady,  whom  they  professed  to  honour 
so  highly,  to  mingle  in  their  games  of  chivalry.  The 
young  knights  courteously  received  their  young  mistress 
in  the  lists,  and  smiled  at  the  idea  of  her  holding  them 
triumphantly  against  so  many  gallant  champions  of  the 
other  sex.  But  the  vassals  and  old  servants  of  the  Count, 
her  father,  smiled  to  each  other,  and  intitnated  a  ilifferent 
result  than  the  gallants  anticipated.  The  knights  who 
encountered  the  fair  Brenhilda  were  one  by  one  stretched 
on  the  sand  ;  nor  was  it  to  be  denied,  that  the  situation 
of  tilting  with  one  of  the  handsomest  women  of  the  time 
was  an  extremely  embarrassing  one.  Each  youth  was 
bent  to  withhold  his  charge  in  full  volley,  to  cause  his 
steed  to  swerve  at  the  full  shock,  or  in  some  other  way  to 
flinch  from  doing  the  utmost  which  was  necessary  to  gain 
the  victory,  lest,  in  so  gaining  it,  he  might  cause  irreparable 
injury  to  the  beautiful  opp(»nent  he  tilted  with.  Hut  the 
Lady  of  As[)rainonte  was  not  one  who  could  be  contiuered 
by  less  than  the  exertion  of  the  wliole  ,-<ticnglli  and  talents 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  219 

of  the  victor.  The  defeated  suitors  departed  from  the 
lists  the  more  mortified  at  their  discomfiture,  because 
Robert  of  Paris  arrived  at  sunset,  and,  understanding 
what  was  going  forward,  sent  his  name  to  the  bai'riers,  as 
that  of  a  knight  who  would  wilhngly  forego  the  reward 
of  the  tournament,  in  case  he  had  the  fortune  to  gain  it, 
declaring,  that  neither  lands  nor  ladies'  charms  were  what 
he  came  thither  to  seek.  Brenhilda,  piqued  and  mortified, 
chose  a  new  lance,  mounted  her  best  steed,  and  advanced 
into  the  lists  as  one  determined  to  avenge  upon  the  new 
assailant's  brow  the  slight  of  her  charms  which  he  seemed 
to  express.  But  whether  her  displeasure  had  somewhat 
interfered  with  her  usual  skill,  or  whether  she  had,  like 
others  of  her  sex,  felt  a  partiality  towards  one  whose  heart 
was  not  particularly  set  upon  gaining  hei-s — or  whether,  as 
is  often  said  on  such  occasions,  her  fated  hour  was  come, 
so  it  was  that  Count  Robert  tilted  with  his  usual  address 
and  good  fortune.  Brenhilda  of  Aspramonte  was  un- 
horsed and  unhelmed,  and  stretched  on  the  earth,  and  the 
beautiful  face  which  faded  from  very  red  to  deadly  pale 
before  the  eyes  of  the  victor,  produced  its  natural  effect 
in  raising  the  value  of  his  conquest.  He  would,  in  con- 
formity with  his  resolution,  have  left  the  castle  after 
having  mortified  the  vanity  of  the  lady  ;  but  her  mother 
opportunely  interposed  ;  and  when  she  had  satisfied  her- 
self that  no  serious  injury  had  been  sustained  by  the 
young  heiress,  she  returned  her  thanks  to  the  stranger 
knight  who  had  taught  her  daughter  a  lesson,  which,  she 
trusted,  she  would  not  easily  forget.  Thus  tempted  to  do 
what  he  secretly  wished.  Count  Robert  gave  ear  to  those 
sentiments,  whicli  naturally  whispered  to  him  to  be  in  no 
hurry  to  withdraw. 

He  was  of  the  blood  of  Charlemagne,  and,  what  was 


•220  WAVKKI.KY    XOVKI.S. 

still  of  more  coiisccjuciicc  in  tlic  yoiin;:  ladv*-  eyos,  one 
of  the  m()>t  n-iiowncd  of  Norman  knijrlits  in  tliat  jousting 
(lay.  Afiir  a  icsitlenco  of  t<Mi  days  in  tlic  castle  of  A«- 
|)ranionlf,  tlif  bride  and  Itridcgrooni  set  out.  for  such  was 
Count  Koln-rt's  will,  with  a  conipctont  train,  to  Our  J^ady 
of  the  Broken  Lances,  where  it  pleased  him  to  be  wed<led. 
Two  knights,  who  were  waiting  to  do  battle,  as  was  the 
custom  of  the  place,  were  rather  disappointed  at  the 
nature  of  the  cavalcade,  which  seemed  to  interrupt  their 
l)urpose.  But  greatly  were  they  surprised  when  they 
received  a  cartel  from  the  betrothed  couple,  offering  to 
substitute  their  own  jx'rsons  in  the  room  of  other  antago- 
nists, and  ccjngralulating  themselves  in  eommen(Mng  their 
married  lite  in  a  manner  so  consistent  with  that  which 
they  had  hitlicrto  led.  They  were  victorious  as  usual  ; 
antl  the  oidy  persons  having  occasion  to  rue  the  com- 
plaisance of  the  Count  and  lii<  bride,  were  the  two  stran- 
gers, one  of  whom  broke  an  arm  in  the  rencontre,  and  the 
other  dislocated  a  collar-bone. 

Count  Robert's  course  of  knight-errantry  did  not  .seem 
to  be  in  the  least  intermitted  l)y  his  marriage;  on  the  con- 
trary, when  he  was  called  upon  to  support  his  renown,  his 
wife  was  often  known  also  in  military  exjjloits,  nor  was 
.she  inferi(M-  to  him  in  thirst  after  fame.  They  both 
assumed  tin/  cross  at  the  same  time,  lliat  being  tlien  tin- 
predominating  folly  in  Europe. 

The  Countess  Brenhilda  was  now  aliove  six-and- 
twenty  years  old,  with  as  much  beauty  as  can  well  fall  to 
the  .share  of  an  Amazon.  A  figure  of  the  largest  femi- 
nine size,  wa-i  surmounted  by  a  noble  coimfenance,  to 
which  even  repeated  warlike  toils  had  not  given  more 
than  a  sunny  hue,  relieveil  by  the  d;i/,/ling  whiteness  of 
.such  parts  of  her  face  a.s  were  not  u-nally  disi)layed. 


COUNT    UOBKRT    OF    PARIS.  221 

As  Alexius  gave  orders  that  his  retinue  should  retui-n 
to  Constantinople,  he  spoke  in  private  to  the  Follower, 
Achilles  Tatius.  The  Satrap  answered  with  a  submis- 
sive bend  of  the  head,  and  separated  with  a  few  attend- 
ants from  the  main  body  of  the  Emperor's  train.  The 
principal  road  to  the  city  was,  of  course,  filled  with  the 
troops,  and  with  the  numei'ous  crowds  of  spectators,  all 
of  whom  were  inconvenienced  in  some  degree  by  the  dust 
and  heat  of  the  weather. 

Count  Robert  of  Paris  had  embarked  his  horses  on 
board  of  ship,  and  all  his  retinue,  except  an  old  squire  or 
valet  of  his  own,  and  an  attendant  of  his  wife.  He  felt 
himself  more  incommoded  in  this  crowd  than  he  desired, 
especially  as  his  wife  shared  it  with  him,  and  began  to 
look  among  the  scattered  trees  which  fringed  the  shores, 
down  almost  to  the  tide-mark,  to  see  if  he  could  discern 
any  by-path  which  might  carry  them  more  circuitously, 
but  more  pleasantly,  to  the  city,  and  afford  them  at  the 
same  time,  what  was  their  principal  object  in  the  East, 
strange  sights,  or  adventures  of  chivalry.  A  broad  and 
beaten  path  seemed  to  promise  them  all  the  enjoyment 
which  shade  could  give  in  a  wai-m  climate.  The  ground 
through  which  it  wound  its  way  was  beautifully  broken 
by  the  appearance  of  temples,  churches,  and  kiosks,  and 
here  and  there  a  fountain  distributed  its  silver  produce, 
like  a  benevolent  individual,  who,  self-denying  to  himself, 
is  liberal  to  all  others  who  are  in  necessity.  The  distant 
sound  of  the  martial  music  still  regaled  their  way ;  and, 
at  the  same  time,  as  it  detained  the  populace  on  the  high- 
road, prevented  the  strangers  from  becoming  incommoded 
with  fellow-travellers. 

Rejoicing  in  the  abated  heat  of  the  day — wondering, 
at  the  same  time,  at  the  various  kinds  of  architecture,  the 


•222  wAvr.Ki.r.Y  novkls. 

.--ti-ange  foatiiros  of  tlic  landscapo,  or  accidental  toudies 
of  nianncis,  cxhiliitcd  by  those  who  met  or  jiassed  tliem 
upon  tlicir  joiiriiey,  they  strolled  easily  onwards.  One 
ligiire  particularly  caught  the  attention  of  the  Countess 
lirenhilda.  This  was  an  old  man  of  great  stature,  en- 
gaged, appareiitlv,  <o  deeply  with  the  roll  of  parchment 
which  he  Ik'M  in  h'\<  hand,  that  he  paid  no  attention  to 
the  objects  wliicli  were  passing  aroiiml  him.  Deep 
thought  apjieand  to  r«'ign  on  his  l>row.  and  his  eye  was 
<>\'  that  piercing  kiml  which  seems  designed  to  search  and 
winnow  ihe  frivolous  from  the  edifying  part  of  human 
discussion,  and  limit  its  inquiry  to  the  last.  Raising  his 
eves  slowly  from  the  parchment  on  which  he  had  been 
gazing,  the  look  of  Agelastes — for  it  was  the  sage  him- 
self— encountered  those  of  Count  Robert  and  his  larly, 
and  addressing  them  with  the  kindly  epitliet  of  "  my 
children,"  he  asked  if  they  had  missed  their  road,  or 
wlietlier  there  was  any  thing  in  which  he  couhl  do  them 
any  pleasure. 

*'  We  are  strangers,  father,"  was  the  an-wer,  "  from  a 
di-tant  coinitry,  and  btdonging  to  the  army  which  has 
pjissed  hitliei-  upon  pilgrimage;  one  object  brings  us  here 
in  common,  we  hope,  with  all  that  host.  We  desire  to 
])ay  our  devotions  where  the  great  ransom  was  paid  for 
US.  and  to  free,  by  our  good  swords,  enslaved  Palestine, 
fruin  the  usurpati(m  and  tyranny  of  the  infidel.  Wiien 
we  have  said  this,  we  have  announced  t)ur  highest  human 
motive.  Yet  Robert  of  I'aris  and  his  Countess  would 
not  willingly  >et  their  foot  on  a  land.  >ave,  what  should 
resounrl  its  echo.  They  have  not  been  accu-tomed  to 
move  in  silenci-  upon  the  face  ot"  the  earth,  and  they 
would  purchase  an  eternal  life  of  fame,  though  it  were  at 
tiie  priee  of"  mortal  exi-tence." 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  223 

"  You  seek,  then,  to  barter  saf(;ty  for  fame,"  said  Age- 
lastes,  "  though  you  may,  perchance,  throw  death  into  the 
scale  by  which  you  hope  to  gain  it  ?  " 

"  Assuredly,'.'  said  Count  Robert  ;  "  nor  is  there  one 
wearing  such  a  belt  as  this,  to  whom  such  a  thought  is 
stranger." 

"  And  as  I  understand,"  said  Agelastes,  "  your  lady 
shares  with  your  honourable  self  in  these  valorous  reso- 
lutions ? — Can  this  be  ?  " 

"  You  may  undervalue  my  female  courage,  father,  if 
such  is  your  will,"  said  the  Countess ;  "  but  I  speak  in 
presence  of  a  witness  who  can  attest  the  truth,  when  I 
say  that  a  man  of  half  your  years  had  not  doubted  the 
truth  with  impunity." 

"  Nay,  Heaven  jsrotect  me  fi'om  the  lightning  of  your 
eyes,"  said  Agelastes,  "  whether  in  anger  or  in  scorn.  I 
bear  an  segis  about  myself  against  what  I  should  else 
have  feared.  But  age,  with  its  incapacities,  brings  also 
its  apologies.  Perhaps,  indeed,  it  is  one  like  me  whom 
you  seek  to  find,  and  in  that  case  I  should  be  happy  to 
render  to  you  such  services  as  it  is  ray  duty  to  offer  to  all 
worthy  knights." 

"  I  have  already  said,"  replied  Count  Robert,  "  that 
after  the  accomplishment  of  my  vow," — ^he  looked  up- 
wards and  crossed  himself, — "  there  is  nothing  on  earth 
to  which  I  am  more  bound  than  to  celebrate  my  name  in 
arms  as  becomes  a  valiant  cavalier.  When  men  die 
obscurely  they  die  for  ever.  Had  my  ancestor  Charles 
never  left  the  paltry  banks  of  the  Saale,  he  had  not  now 
been  much  better  known  than  any  vine-di-esser  who 
wielded  his  pruning-hook  in  the  same  territories.  But 
he  bore  him  like  a  brave  man,  and  his  name  is  deathless 
in  the  memory  of  the  worthy." 


224  WAVKULKY    NOVELS. 

"Young  mail,"  said  tlie  old  Grecian,  "  althougli  it  is 
but  seldom  that  such  as  you,  whom  1  was  made  to  serve 
anil  to  value,  vi-il  (his  country,  it  is  not  the  less  true  that 
1  am  well  (jualilied  to  serve  you  in  the  matter  which  you 
have  so  much  at  heart.  ^ly  acquaintance  with  luiture 
has  been  so  perfect  and  so  long,  that,  during  its  continu- 
ance, she  has  disappeared,  and  another  world  has  been 
spread  before  me,  in  which  she  has  but  little  to  do.  Thus 
the  curious  stores  which  I  have  assembled  are  beyond  the 
researches  of  other  men,  and  not  to  be  laid  before  those 
whose  deeds  of  valour  are  to  be  bounded  by  the  ordinary 
probabilities  of  everyday  nature.  No  romancer  ot  your 
romantic  country  ever  devised  such  extraordinary  adven- 
tures out  of  his  own  imagination,  and  to  feed  the  idle 
wonder  of  those  who  sat  listening  around,  us  those  which 
1  know,  not  of  idle  invention,  but  of  real  positive  exist- 
ence, with  the  means  of  achieving  and  accoMii)li>lung  the 
conditions  of  each  adventure." 

*' If  such  be  your  real  profession,"  said  llic  Frcncii 
Count,  "you  have  met  one  of  those  whom  you  chiefly 
search  for;  nor  will  my  Countess  and  I  stir  farther  upon 
our  road  until  you  have  pointed  out  to  us  some  one  ot' 
those  a<lvt'ntun;s  which  it  is  the  business  of  errant-knights 
to  be  industrious  in  seeking  out." 

So  saying,  lie  >at  down  l)y  the  side  of  the  nld  man  ; 
and  his  lady,  with  a  flegree  of  n^verence  whicli  liud  some- 
thing in  it  almost  diverting,  Ibllowed  his  exainjile. 

'*  We  have  fallen  right,  IJrenhilihi,"  said  Count  Roi»ert; 
"our  guardian  angel  has  watched  his  charge  carefully. 
Here  have  we  come  among  an  ignorant  set  of  pedants, 
chattering  their  al)>urd  languagt-,  and  holding  more  im- 
poriaiil  the  least  look  that  a  cowardly  Emperor  can  give, 
tiian  tlx;  best  blow  that  a  i^ood  knight  can  deal.     Believe 


COUXT    llODEUT    OF    I'AHJS.  225 

me,  I  was  well-nigh  tliinkiiig  that  we  had  done  ill  to  take 
the  cross — God  forgive  such  an  impious  doubt !  Yet 
here,  when  we  were  even  despairing  to  find  the  road  to 
fame,  we  have  met  with  one  of  those  excellent  men 
whom  the  knights  of  yore  were  wont  to  find  sitting  by 
springs,  by  crosses,  and  by  altars,  ready  to  direct  the 
wandering  knight  where  fame  was  to  be  found.  Disturb 
him  not,  my  Brenhilda,"  said  the  Count,  "but  let  him 
recall  to  himself  his  stories  of  the  ancient  time,  and  thou 
shalt  see  he  will  enrich  us  with  the  treasures  of  his  infor- 
mation." 

"  If,"  replied  Agelastes,  after  some  pause,  "  I  have 
waited  for  a  longer  term  than  human  life  is  granted  to 
most  men,  I  shall  still  be  overpaid  by  dedicating  what 
remains  of  existence  to  the  service  of  a  pair  so  devoted 
to  chivalry.  What  first  occurs  to  me  is  a  story  of  our 
Greek  country,  so  famous  in  adventures,  and  which  I 
shall  briefly  detail  to  you  : — 

"Afar  hence,  in  our  renowned  Grecian  Archipelago, 
amid  storms  and  whirlpools,  rocks  which,  changing  their 
character,  appear  to  precipitate  themselves  against  each 
other,  and  billows  that  are  never  in  a  pacific  state,  lies  the 
rich  island  of  Zulichium,  inhabited,  notwithstanding  its 
wealth,  by  a  very  few  natives,  who  live  only  upon  the 
sea-coast.  The  inland  part  of  the  island  is  one  immense 
mountain,  or  pile  of  mountains,  amongst  which,  those  who 
dare  approach  near  enough,  may,  we  are  assured,  discern 
the  moss-grown  and  antiquated  towers  and  pinnacles  of  a 
stately,  but  ruinous  castle,  the  habitation  of  the  sovereign 
of  the  island,  in  which  she  has  been  enchanted  for  a  great 
many  years. 

"A  bold  knight,  who  came  upon  a  pilgrimage  to  Jeru- 
salem, made  a  vow  to  deliver  this  unhappy  victim  of  pain 

VOL.    XLVII.  15 


22G  WAVIKI.l.Y     NOVKI.S. 

and  sorctTV  ;  ffding,  with  justu-e,  vcIicnK'iifly  oflTcrKlcd, 
that  tl)('  fiends  of  diirkncss  should  exercise  any  authority 
near  the  Ilnly  Land,  which  inij^ht  be  termed  the  very 
Hanilain  ol  lij^ht.  Two  of"  tlie  oldest  iidiahitants  of  the 
ishmd  undertook  to  guide  him  as  near  to  the  main  2;ate 
as  tliey  durst,  nor  did  they  approach  it  more  closely  than 
the  len^^th  of  a  bow-shot.  Here,  then,  abandoned  to  liim- 
>elf'.  the  brave  Frank  set  forth  upon  his  enterprise,  with  a 
stout  heart,  and  Heaven  alone  to  friend.  The  fabric 
which  he  apjjntaclied  showed,  by  its  jiigantic  size,  and 
s}>lcnd(iur  of  outline,  the  power  and  wealth  of  the  poten- 
tate who  had  erected  il.  Tlu^  brazen  gates  unfoldi-d 
themselves  as  if  with  Iio|m'  and  pleasure;  and  ai-rial 
voices  swept  around  the  spires  and  turrets,  congratulating 
the  genius  of  the  place,  it  uiight  be.  u|)()n  the  ex|)(!cted 
appri>ach  of  its  deliver<'r. 

"The  knight  passed  on,  not  nrnnoved  with  wonder, 
though  untainte<l  by  fear ;  and  the  ( Jothic  splendoui's 
which  he  saw  were  of  a  kind  highly  to  exalt  his  idea  of 
the  beauty  of  the  mistress  for  whom  a  prison-house  had 
been  so  richly  decorated,  (luards  there  were  in  Kastern 
dress  and  arms,  ujion  bulwark  and  buttress,  in  readiness, 
il  appeared,  to  bend  their  bows;  but  the  warriors  were 
motionless  and  silent,  and  took  no  more  notice  of  the 
armed  step  of  the  knight  ihaii  if  a  monk  av  liermit  had 
approached  their  guardeci  post.  They  were  living,  an<l 
yet,  as  to  all  j)Ower  and  sense,  they  might  be  con-iilered 
among  the  dead.  it'  llnif  was  truth  in  the  olil  tradition, 
the  sun  had  shorn'  and  ihi-  rain  had  fallen  upon  them  for 
more  than  four  Innidnil  changing  seasons,  wiihoul  their 
being  sensiitle  of  tin-  ginial  warmth  of  the  one  or  the 
coldness  of  flic  other.  Like  the  I-ra<'lites  in  the  desert, 
their  shoes   had   not    dicaved,  nor  their  \olments  w;ixed 


COUNT    nor.ERT    OF    PARIS.  227 

old.  As  Time  left  them,  *o  and  without  alteration  was 
he  again  to  find  tliem."  The  philosoplier  began  now  to 
recall  what  he  had  heard  of  the  cause  of  their  enchant- 
ment. 

"  The  sage,  to  whom  this  potent  charm  is  imputed,  was 
one  of  the  Magi  who  follow^ed  the  tenets  of  Zoroaster. 
He  had  come  to  the  court  of  this  youthful  Princess,  who 
received  him  with  every  attention  which  gratified  vanity 
could  dictate,  so  that  in  a  short  time  her  awe  of  this 
grave  personage  was  lost  in  the  sense  of  ascendency  which 
her  beauty  gave  her  over  him.  It  was  no  difficult  matter 
— in  fact  it  happens  every  day — for  the  beautiful  woman 
to  lull  the  wise  man  into  what  is  not  unaptly  called  a  fool's 
paradise.  The  sage  was  induced  to  attempt  feats  of 
youth  which  his  years  rendered  ridiculous ;  he  could  com- 
mand the  elements,  but  the  common  course  of  nature  was 
beyond  his  power.  When,  therefore,  he  exerted  his 
magic  strength,  the  mountains  bent  and  the  seas  receded ; 
but  when  the  philosopher  attempted  to  lead  forth  the 
Princess  of  Zulichium  in  the  youthful  dance,  youths  and 
maidens  turned  their  heads  aside  lest  they  should  make 
too  manifest  the  ludicrous  ideas  with  which  they  were 
impressed. 

"  Unhappily,  as  the  aged,  even  the  wisest  of  them,  will 
forget  themselves,  so  the  young  naturally  enter  into  an 
alliance  to  spy  out,  ridicule,  and  enjoy  their  foibles. 
Many  wei-e  the  glances  which  the  Princess  sent  among 
her  retinue,  intimatiiig  the  nature  of  the  amusement 
which  she  received  from  the  attentions  of  her  formidable 
lover.  In  process  of  time  she  lost  her  caution,  and  a 
glance  was  detected,  expressing  to  the  old  man  the  ridi- 
cule and  contempt  in  which  he  had  been  all  along  held 
by  the  object  of  his  aiFections.     Earth  has  no  passion  so 


228  WAVKULKY    NOVKI.S. 

bitter  as  love  converted  to  hatred  ;  and  while  tli«  sage 
bitterly  regretted  what  he  had  done,  lie  did  not  the  less 
resent  the  lighl-hearlcd  fully  (»f  the  Princess  hy  whom  he 
had  been  duped. 

"  If",  however,  he  was  angry,  he  posse-scd  tin:  art  to 
conceal  it.  Not  a  word,  not  a  look  expressed  the  bitter 
disap|)<iintnient  which  he  had  received.  A  shade  ol" 
melancholy,  or  rather  gloom,  upon  his  brow,  alone  inti- 
mated the  coming  storm.  The  Princess  became  some- 
what alarmed  ;  she  was  besides  extremely  good-natnred, 
nor  had  her  intentions  of  leading  the  old  man  into  what 
would  render  him  ridiculous,  been  so  accurately  planned 
with  malice  prepense,  as  they  were  the  efl'ect  of  accident 
and  chance.  She  saw  the  pain  which  lir  >uncred.  and 
thought  to  end  it  by  going  u\>  to  him,  wlnii  almiit  to 
retire,  and  kindly  wishing  him  good-niglil. 

"'You  say  well,  daughter,'  said  the  sage,  'good-night 
— but  who,  of  the  numbers  who  hear  me,  shall  say  good- 
raorning  ?  ' 

"The  speech  drew  little  attention,  although  two  or 
three  persons  to  whom  the  character  of  the  sage  was 
known,  fled  from  the  island  that  very  iii,L'lit,  and  l)y  their 
report  made  known  the  circinnstaiiccs  at  lending  tlw;  first 
infliction  of  this  extraordinary  spell  on  those  who  re- 
mained within  the  Castle.  A  sleep  like  that  ofdiiith  fell 
upon  them,  and  was  not  removed.  Most  of  the  inhabi- 
tants left  the  island  ;  the  few  who  n-maiiicd  w«rr  (iiiitious 
how  they  approached  the  Castle,  and  watched  until  some 
bold  adventurer  should  bring  that  hapjjy  awakening  which 
the  speech  of  tlu;  sorcerer  seemed  in  some  degree  to  inti- 
mate. 

"Never  seeme(l  there  ;i  faiier  opporlunily  for  that 
awakening   to   lake    jilMce    than  when    tli<'    |>rou(l   .step  of 


COUNT  KORKKT  OF  PAniS.  229 

Artuvan  dc  Ilautlicu  was  placed  upon  those  enchanted 
courts.  On  the  left,  lay  the  palace  and  donjon-keep;  but 
the  riglit,  more  attractive,  seemed  to  invite  to  the  apart- 
ment of  the  women.  At  a  side  door,  reclined  on  a  couch, 
two  guards  of  the  harem,  with  their  naked  swords  grasped 
in  their  hands,  and  features  fiendishly  contorted  between 
sleep  and  dissolution,  seemed  to  menace  death  to  any  who 
should  venture  to  approach.  This  threat  deterred  not 
Artavan  de  Hautlieu.  He  approached  the  entrance, 
when  the  doors,  like  those  of  the  great  entrance  to  the 
Castle,  made  themselves  instantly  accessible  to  him.  A 
guard-room  of  the  same  effeminate  soldiers  received  him, 
nor  could  the  strictest  examination  have  discovered  to  him 
whether  it  was  sleep  or  death  which  arrested  the  eyes 
that  seemed  to  look  upon  and  prohibit  his  advance.  Un- 
heeding the  presence  of  these  ghastly  sentinels,  Artavan^ 
pressed  forward  into  an  inner  apartment,  where  female 
slaves  of  the  most  distinguished  beauty  were  visible  in 
the  attitude  of  those  who  had  already  assumed  their  dress 
for  the  night.  There  was  much  in  this  scene  which  might 
have  arrested  so  young  a  pilgrim  as  Artavan  of  Hautlieu  ; 
but  his  heart  was  fixed  on  achieving  the  freedom  of  the 
beautiful  Princess,  nor  did  he  suffer  himself  to  be  with- 
drawn from  that  object  by  any  inferior  consideration. 
He  passed  on,  therefore,  to  a  little  ivory  door,  which, 
after  a  moment's  pause,  as  if  in  maidenly  hesitation,  gave 
way  like  the  rest,  and  yielded  access  to  the  sleeping  apart- 
ment of  the  Princess  herself.  A  soft  light,  resembling 
that  of  evening,  penetrated  into  a  chamber  where  every 
thing  seemed  contrived  to  exalt  the  luxury  of  slumber. 
The  heaps  of  cushions,  which  formed  a  stately  bed, 
seemed  rather  to  be  touched  than  impressed  by  the  form 
of  a  nymph  of  fifteen,  the  renowned  Princess  of  Zu- 
lichium." 


230  WAVKUI.KY    NOVKLS. 

"  Witlioiit  inlciTiiptinfj  you,  jrood  father,"  said  (he 
Countess  IJiculiiKla,  "  it  sccnis  to  me  that  wr  ran  com- 
prehend the  picture  of  a  woman  a-^h-i'ii  wiili.iul  much 
dihilin;,'  upon  it.  and  that  sucli  a  sul)jcct  is  litilr  iccom- 
meiided  eitlier  by  our  ajje  or  hy  vours." 

"Pardon  me,  nol)l('  lady,"  aii>\vcnd  Agchi^itcs,  "the 
most  approved  jiart  of  my  story  has  ever  been  this  pas- 
sage, and  while  I  now  su|)pres.s  it  in  obedience  to  your 
command,  bear  notice,  I  pray  you,  that  I  sacrilicc  tlie 
most  beautiful  part  of  the  tah'." 

"  Brenliihla,"  added  the  Count,  "  I  am  .-urpri,-ed  you 
think  of  interrupt in<;  a  story  which  has  iiilherto  proceeded 
with  so  mudi  fire  ;  the  telling  of  a  few  words  more  or 
less  will  surely  have  a  much  greater  influence  upon  the 
sense  of  the  narrative,  than  such  an  addition  can  po.->il)ly 
possess  over  our  sentiments  of  action." 

"A-  \ou  will."  >aid  his  lady,  throwing  hei>clf  care- 
lessly back  upon  the  se.'it ;  "but  nielhinks  the  wortiiy 
father  protracts  this  discourse,  till  it  becomes  of  a  nature 
more  trifling  than  interesting." 

'•  Ureiihilda."  said  the  Count,  '-this  is  thi'  first  time  I 
have  i-iiiiaiki'd  in  yim  a  woman's  weakness." 

"I  may  as  well  say.  Count  Robert,  that  it  i~  the  first 
time."  au-wered  Urenhilda,  "  that  you  liave  .-^hown  to  me 
the  inconstancy  of  your  sex." 

"  (i(tds  an<l  goddesses,"  .-aid  the  philosopher,  "  was  ever 
known  a  (piarrel  more  alt-iuilly  f'oinidedl  The  Coinitess 
i^jealou-ol'  one  whom    Iiri'   lin-li;ni'l    probablv  n<\cr  will 

see,    nor    is    then-    any    ]»ro-j t    that    (he     I'lincess    of 

Zulichium  will  be  hereafter  better  known  to  the  mod<!rn 
world,  than  if  the  ciiitain  hung  before  her  loml)." 

"  I'rocecd,"  saiil  Count  Robert  of  Taii-  ;  "  if  Sir 
Artavan   of    llaiillii-u   ha-   not   acci)mpli-h<il   the   enfran- 


'        COUNT  ROBKRT  OF  PARIS.  231 

chisemcnt  of  the  Princess  of  Zulicliium,  I  make  a  vow 
fo  Our  Lady  of  the  Broken  Lances," — 

"  Remember,"  said  his  lady,  interfering,  "  that  you  arc 
ah-eady  under  a  vow  to  free  the  Sepulchre  of  God  ;  and 
to  that,  methinks,  all  lighter  engagements  might  give 
place." 

"  Well,  lady — well,"  said  Count  Robert,  but  half  satis- 
fied with  this  interference,  "  I  will  not  engage  myself,  you 
may  be  assured,  on  any  adventure  which  may  claim  pre- 
cedence of  the  enterprise  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  to 
which  we  are  all  bound." 

"  Alas  !  "  said  Agelastes,  "  the  distance  of  Zulichium 
from  the  speediest  route  to  the  sepulchre  is  so  small 
that " 

'"  Worthy  father,"  said  the  Countess,  "  we  will,  if  it 
pleases  you,  hear  your  tale  to  an  end,  and  then  determine 
what  we  will  do.  We  Norman  ladies,  descendants  of  the 
old  Germans,  claim  a  voice  with  our  lords  in  the  council 
which  precedes  the  battle  ;  nor  has  our  assistance  in  the 
conflict  been  deemed  altogether  useless." 

The  tone  in  which  this  was  spoken  conveyed  an 
awkward  innuendo  to  the  philosopher,  who  began  to 
foresee  that  the  guidance  of  the  Norman  knight  would 
be  more  difficult  than  he  had  foreseen,  while  his  consort 
remained  by  his  side.  He  took  up,  therefore,  his  oratory 
on  somewhat  a  lower  key  than  before,  and  avoided  those 
warm  descriptions  which  had  given  such  offence  to  the 
Countess  Brenhilda. 

"  Sir  Artavan  de  Hautlieu,  says  the  story,  considered 
in  what  way  he  should  accost  the  sleeping  damsel,  when 
it  occurred  to  him  in  what  manner  the  charm  would  be 
most  likely  to  be  reversed.  I  am  in  your  judgment,  fair 
lady,  if  he  judged  wrong  in  resolving  that  the  method  of 


282  WAVKKi.r.Y   Novr.i.s. 

his  addnss  should  he  a  kiss  ii])on  thr  lip-."  Tin'  colour 
of  Bi-fiiliilda  Avas  somewhat  h(;i;ihlein'(I.  l.iit  -lie  ilid  not 
deem  the.  oV)ser\  ation  worthy  of  notice. 

"Never  had  so  innocent  an  action."  contiinied  the 
philosopher,  "an  effect  more  honiltle.  'I'lir-  delightful 
light  of  a  snmmer  evening  was  instantly  clianged  into  a 
.''trange  lurid  hue,  which,  infected  with  sulphur,  seemed 
to  hreathc  suffocation  throiiirh  the  apartment.  The  rich 
hangings,  and  splendid  furniture  of  the  chamber,  the  very 
walls  themselves,  were  changecl  into  huge  stones  tossed 
together  at  random,  like  the  inside  of  a  w  ild  beast's  den, 
nor  was  the  den  without  an  inhabitant.  The  beautiful 
and  innocent  lips  to  which  Artavan  de  Ilautlieu  had 
approached  his  own,  were  now  changeil  into  the  hideous 
and  bizarre  form,  and  be<tial  aspect  of  a  fiery  dragon. 
A  moment  she  hovered  upon  tin'  wing,  and  it  is  said,  had 
Sir  Artavan  found  courage  to  repeat  his  salute  three 
times,  he  would  then  have  remained  master  of  all  the 
wealth,  and  of  the  (li^eiirli.iiitrd  priiice-;.  r.iit  the  oppor- 
tunity was  lost,  and  tiie  dragon,  or  tlie  creature  who 
seemed  such,  sailed  out  at  a  side  window  upon  its  broad 
pennons,  uttering  loud  wails  of  disappointment." 

Here  ended  the  story  of  Agelasfes.  "  The  Princess," 
he  said,  "is  still  supposed  to  al)id«'  licr  dooni  in  tlie  Island 
of  Zulicliimn.  and  several  knights  iiave  undertaken  the 
adventure  ;  but  I  know  not  whether  il  wa-;  the  fear  of 
saluting  the  sleeping  maiden,  or  that  of  approacliing  th(! 
dragon  into  which  she  was  transformed,  but  so  it  is,  the 
sj)ell  remains  unachieved.  I  know  the  way,  and  if  you 
say  tlie  word,  vou  niav  lie  to-nutirow  on  lln'  mad  to  I  he 
castle  of  enchantment." 

The  Countess  heard  llii-  pr.ipo-al  with  the  deepest 
anxiety,    for    she    knew    that    >lie    might,    by   opp(»sitinM, 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  23S 

(letcrinine  her  husband  irrevocably  upon  following  out 
the  enterprise.  She  stood  therefore  with  a  timid  and 
basiiful  look,  strange  in  a  person  whose  bearing  was 
generally  so  dauntless,  and  prudtnitly  left  it  to  the  unin- 
fluenced mind  of  Count  Robert  to  form  the  resolution 
which  should  best  please  him. 

"Brenhilda,"  he  said,  taking  her  hand,  "fame  and 
honour  are  dear  to  thy  husband  as  ever  they  were  to 
knight  who  buckled  a  brand  upon  his  side.  Thou  hast 
done,  perhaps,  I  may  say,  for  me,  what  I  might  in  vain 
have  looked  for  from  ladies  of  thy  condition  ;  and  there- 
fore thou  mayst  well  expect  a  casting  voice  in  such  points 
of  deliberation. — Why  dost  thou  wander  by  the  side  of  a 
foreign  and  unhealthy  shore,  instead  of  the  banks  of  the 
lovely  Seine? — Why  dost  thou  wear  a  dress  unusual  to 
thy  sex? — Why  dost  thou  seek  death,  and  think  it  little 
in  comparison  of  shame  ? — Why  ?  but  that  the  Count  of 
Paris  may  have  a  bride  worthy  of  him. — Dost  thou  think 
that  this  affection  is  thrown  away  ?  No,  by  the  saints ! 
Thy  knight  repays  it  as  he  best  ought,  and  sacrifices  to 
thee  every  thought  which  thy  affection  may  less  than 
entirely  approve !  " 

Poor  Brenhilda,  confused  as  she  was  by  the  various 
emotions  with  which  she  was  agitated,  now  in  vain  en- 
deavoured to  maintain  the  heroic  deportment  which  her 
character  as  an  Amazon  required  from  her.  She  at- 
tempted to  assume  the  proud  and  lofty  look  which  was 
properly  her  own,  but  failing  in  the  effort,  she  threw  her- 
self into  the  Count's  arms,  hung  round  his  neck,  and  wept 
like  a  village  maiden,  whose  true  love  is  pressed  for  the 
wars.  Her  husband,  a  little  ashamed,  while  he  was  much 
moved  by  this  burst  of  affection  in  one  to  whose  char- 
acter it  seemed  an  unusual   attribute,  was,  at  the   same 


234  WAVKULKV    NdVKLS;. 

time,  plca-cd  and  pioiid  tliat  In-  could  have  awakened  an 
aflTcction  so  gcnniiu'  and  so  g».'ntl<'  in  a  soul  so  hi^rh- 
spirited  and  so  unbending. 

"  Not  thus,"  he  said,  "  my  Breidiilda  !  I  would  not  have 
it  thus,  either  for  thine  own  sake  or  fur  mine.  Do  not 
let  this  wise  old  man  sui)|)o>e  that  thy  heart  is  made  of 
the  malleable  stuff  whieh  forms  that  of  other  maidens; 
and  apologize  to  him,  as  may  well  become  thee,  for  iiaving 
prevented  my  undertaking  the  advcntiu-c  of  Zulicliiiim, 
wiu'eli  he  recommends." 

It  was  not  easy  fur  DmihiMa  to  recover  herself,  after 
having  afforded  so  notable  an  instance  lunv  nature  can 
vindicate  her  rights,  with  whatever  rigour  she  mav  have 
l)een  disciplined  an<l  tyramii/ed  over.  Willi  a  look  t»f 
ineffable  affection,  she  disjoined  iierself  from  her  husl)and, 
still  keeping  hold  of  his  liand,  and  turning  to  the  old  man 
with  a  countenance  in  whicli  the  half-effaced  tears  were 
succeeded  by  smiles  of  plea-m-e  an<l  of  modesty,  she 
spoke  to  Agelastes  as  she  would  to  a  per-on  whom  she 
respected,  and  towards  whom  slie  had  some  offence  to 
atone.  "  Father,"  she  said,  i-esjjectfully,  "  be  not  angry 
with  mi-  that  I  -.hould  liavi;  been  an  obstacle  to  one  of  the 
best  knights  that  ever  spurred  steed,  undi.'rtaking  the  en- 
terprise of  tliine  enchanliMl  Priucess ;  but  the  truth  i>, 
that  in  our  land,  where  knighlhooil  and  religion  agree  in 
jKMinilting  only  one  lady  love,  and  one  lady  wife,  we  do 
not  quite  so  willingly  see  our  husband>  rim  into  danger — 
especially  of  that  kind  where  lonely  ladies  are  the  par- 
ties relieved — and — and  kisses  are  the  ransom  paid,  I 
have  a.s  much  confidence  in  my  Robert's  fidelity,  as  a  lady 
can  have  in  a  loving  knight,  but  still" 

"  Lovely  lady."  said  Agela^le^.  who,  not wilhstandiug 
his  liighly  artilirial  eliaracter,  coidd  n^it  Ii-'lp  being  moved 


COUNT    IIOBERT    OF    PAKIS.  235 

by  tlie  simple  and  sincere  affection  of  the  liandsotne 
young  pair,  "you  have  done  no  evil.  The  state  of  the 
Princess  is  no  worse  than  it  was,  and  there  cannot  be  a 
doubt  that  the  knight  fated  to  relieve  her,  will  appear  at 
the  destined  period." 

The  Countess  smiled  sadly,  and  shook  her  head.  "  You 
do  not  know,"  she  said,  "  how  powerful  is  the  aid  of  which 
I  have  inihappily  deprived  this  unfortunate  lady,  by  a 
jealousy  which  I  now  feel  to  have  been  alike  paltry  and 
unworthy ;  and,  such  is  my  regret,  that  I  could  find  in 
my  heart  to  retract  my  opposition  to  Count  Robert's 
undertaking  this  adventure."  She  looked  at  her  husband 
with  some  anxiety,  as  one  that  had  made  an  offer  she 
would  not  willingly  see  accepted,  and  did  not  recover  her 
courage  until  he  said,  decidedly,  "  Brenhilda,  that  may 
not  be." 

"  And  why,  then,  may  not  Brenhilda  herself  take  the 
adventure,"  continued  the  Countess,  "  since  she  can 
neither  fear  the  charms  of  the  Princess  nor  the  teiTors 
of  the  dragon  ?  " 

"  Lady,"  said  Agelastes,  "  the  Pi-incess  must  be  awak- 
ened by  the  kiss  of  love,  and  not  by  that  of  friendship." 

"A  sufficient  reason,"  said  the  Countess,  smiling,  "why 
a  lady  may  not  wish  her  lord  to  go  fortli  upon  an  adven- 
ture of  which  the  conditions  are  so  regulated." 

"  Noble  minstrel,  or  herald,  or  by  whatever  name  this 
country  calls  you,"  said  Count  Robert,  "  accept  a  small 
lemuneration  for  an  hour  pleasantly  spent,  though  spent, 
unhappily,  in  vain.  I  should  make  some  apology  for  the 
meanness  of  my  offering,  but  French  knights,  you  may 
have  occasion  to  know,  are  more  full  of  fame  than  of 
wealth." 

"Not  for  that,  noble  sir,"  replied  Agelastes,  "would  I 


2.30  AVAVKKI.KV     NOVKI.;'. 

ivfii-ic  yoiir  miinififciici' ;  a  Ix-sant  from  vour  wnrlliv 
Iiaiul,  or  that  of  your  nolik'-iiiimlcd  Ia<ly,  wrrc  centupled 
in  its  value,  by  the  ciiiiiicucc  of  the  ixt-oms  fioiii  wlioin 
it  caini'.  I  would  lian;;  it  round  my  iiei-k  hy  a  strin;;  of 
pearls,  and  when  I  came  into  the  presence  of  kni-^lits  and 
of  ladies,  I  would  proclaim  tliat  this  additiim  to  my 
achievement  of  armorial  distinction,  was  hc-towed  liv 
llie  renowned  Count  Robert  of  Pari-,  and  iiis  ini- 
equalled  lady."  The  Knij^ht  and  the  Countess  looked 
on  each  other,  and  the  lady,  taking  from  her  finger  a 
ring  of  pure  gold,  prayed  the  old  man  to  accept  of  it,  as 
a  mark  of  her  esteiim  and  her  husl)and's.  "  With  one 
other  condition,"  said  the  philo-opher,  "which  I  trust  vou 
will  not  find  altogether  unsatisfactory.  I  have,  on  the 
way  to  the  city  by  the  most  pleasant  road,  a  small  kio>k. 
or  hermitage,  where  I  sometimes  receive  my  friends, 
who,  I  venture  to  say,  are  among  the  most  respectable 
jx-rsonagps  of  this  empire.  Two  or  three  of  these  will 
probably  lionour  my  re>id<'nce  to-day,  and  partake  of  the 
l)rovision  it  aflTords.  Could  I  add  to  these  the  company 
of  the  noble  Count  ami  Counters  of  Paris,  I  should  deem 
my  poor  habitation  honoured  for  mer." 

"  IIow  ^ay  you,  my  noide  wife  ?"  said  the  Count.  "TIk- 
conipaiiy  of  a  minstnd  befits  the  highest  Itirth,  honour-  the 
higliest  rank,  and  .idd-  to  llie  greatest  achievements;  and 
the  invilatiftn  does  us  too  much  credit  to  be  rejected." 

"  It  grows  somewhat  late,"  said  the  Countess  ;  "  but  we 
came  not  here  to  -Inin  a  -inking  stm  or  ;i  daikenini^  skv. 
and  I  fi'cl  it  my  iluly,  a>  well  a-  my  satisfaction,  to  place 
ai  the  <r»nnnand  of  till!  good  father  every  pleasure  which  it 
is  in  my  power  to  offer  to  him,  for  having  lieen  the  means 
of  your  neglecting  his  advice." 

"The  path   is  so  short,"  said   Agela-tes.  "that  we  had 


COUNT  UOBEUT  OF  PARIS.  237 

better  keep  our  present  mode  of  travelling,  if  the  lady 
should  not  want  the  assistance  of  horses." 

"  No  horses  on  my  account,"  said  the  Lady  Brenhilda. 
"  My  waiting  woman,  Agatha,  has  what  necessaries  I  may 
require  ;  and,  for  the  rest,  no  knight  ever  travelled  so  little 
embarrassed  with  baggage  as  my  husband." 

Agelastes,  therefore,  led  the  way  thi'ough  the  deepening 
wood,  which  was  freshened  by  the  cooler  breath  of  even- 
ing, and  his  guests  accompanied  him. 


^a25£4.*akS^ 


238  ■WAVKIM.KY    NOVI.I.S. 


CllAl'TKR    \I. 

\\'itlioiit.  !i  ruin,  lirokcii.  t;innlcil.  cuinlimus. 
Witliiii,  it  was  n  little  piiniilisi>, 
Wlierp  Tasfo  hnd  nindo  lior  <lwcllii)p      ftntunry. 
First-horn  of  human  art,  niniiMcil  hor  imajros, 
And  hiide  men  mark  and  worship. 

Anonvmoi's. 

Tiir,  Count  (»f  Paris  and  Iiis  lady  attended  the  old 
man,  whose  advanced  a^e,  his  exeellence  in  the  use  of 
the  Fi'ciicli  langnag<',  wliirii  he  >|i()kr  to  Mihiiiration, — 
above  all.  his  skill  in  ai)iilying  it  to  poetical  and  roniantie 
subjects,  which  was  essenlial  to  what  was  then  termed  his- 
tory and  liclles  letlres. — drew  from  the  noble  hearers  a 
degree  of  applause,  whirli,  ;i<  Agidastes  had  seMom  been 
\aiii  <'Iiou:j:Ii  to  consider  a<  hi<  <lue,  so,  on  the  part  of  liie 
Kni^zlit  of  I'aris  ami  liis  ladv,  had  it  lieeii  Imt  rarely 
conferred. 

They  li:id  walked  for  some  time  liy  a  palli  wliich  somi;- 
times  seemed  to  hide  itself  among  the  woods  that  came 
down  to  the  shore  of  the  I'ropontis,  sometimes  emerged 
I'roiu  conce.-dmciit,  ami  >kiiled  the  o|m'ii  margin  of  the 
strail,  while,  at  every  turn,  it  -eemed  guided  by  ihe  ilesire 
to  M'lecl  ;i  choice  and  eitiili:i~l  of  be;iiiiy.  \';iriety  of 
scenes  and  manners  enli\iiieil,  tVoiii  llnir  novelty,  the 
land.scape  to  the  pilgrims.  li\  the  ^ea->liore,  nymphs 
were  seen  dancing,  and  shepherd-  jiiping,  or  beating  the 
tainlioiirine  to  their  >tep<,  a>  repie-eiited    in   .-ome   groups 


COUNT    KOP.F.UT    OF    PARIS.  239 

of  ancient  statuary.  Tlie  very  faces  had  a  singular  resem- 
blance to  the  antique.  If  old,  their  long  robes,  their  atti- 
tudes, and  magnificent  heads,  presented  the  ideas  which 
distinguish  prophets  and  saints ;  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  features  of  the  young  recalled  the  expressive  counte- 
nances of  the  heroes  of  antiquity,  and  the  charms  of  those 
lovely  females  by  whom  their  deeds  were  inspired. 

But  the  race  of  the  Greeks  was  no  longer  to  be  seen, 
even  in  its  native  country,  unmixed,  or  in  absolute  purity ; 
on  tlie  contrary,  they  saw  groups  of  persons  with  features 
which  argued  a  different  descent. 

In  a  retiring  bosom  of  the  shore,  which  was  traversed 
by  the  path,  the  rocks,  receding  from  the  beach,  rounded 
off  a  spacious  portion  of  level  sand,  and,  in  some  degree, 
enclosed  it.  A  party  of  heathen  Scythians  whom  they 
beheld,  presented  the  deformed  features  of  the  demons 
they  were  said  to  worship — flat  noses  with  expanded  nos- 
trils, which  seemed  to  admit  the  sight  to  their  very  brain  ; 
faces  which  extended  rather  in  breadth  than  length,  with 
strange  unintellectual  eyes  placed  in  the  extremity ;  fig- 
ures short  and  dwarfish,  yet  garnished  with  legs  and  arms 
of  astonishing  sinewy  strength,  disproportioned  to  their 
bodies.  As  the  travellers  passed,  the  savages  held  a  spe- 
cies of  tournament,  as  the  Count  termed  it.  In  this  they 
exercised  themselves  by  darting  at  each  other  long  reeds, 
or  canes,  balanced  for  the  purpose,  which,  in  this  rude 
sport,  they  threw  with  such  force,  as  not  unfrequently  to 
strike  each  other  from  their  steeds,  and  otherwise  to  cause 
serious  damage.  Some  of  the  combatants  being,  for  the 
time,  out  of  the  play,  devoured  with  greedy  looks  the 
beauty  of  the  Countess,  and  eyed  her  in  such  a  manner, 
that  she  said  to  Count  Robert, — "I  have  never  known 
fear,  my  husband,  nor  is  it  for  me  to  acknowledge  it  now, 


2iO  AVAVIJCLEY    NOVKLS. 

but  if  (li.-giK-^t  be  an  iiij^irdiciil  of  it.  tlicsc  iiiisfortiif-d 
brut<-'s  an-  qiialifuil   tu   inspire   il." 

"  Wlial,  lio.  Sir  Knight  I  "  fXclainK-d  one  of  tli<-  infi- 
dels, "your  wife,  or  your  lady  love,  has  fonnniited  a  fault 
against  the  privileges  of  the  Ini[)erial  Seytliiaus,  and  not 
>inall  will  lie  th<'  penalty  she  has  incurred.  Voii  ni.iy  go 
your  way  as  fast  as  you  will  out  of  this  phue,  which  is, 
tor  the  present,  our  hippodrome,  or  atnieidan,  call  it  which 
you  will,  as  you  prize  the  Roman  or  the  Saracen  lan- 
guage ;  but  for  your  wife,  if  the  sacrament  has  united 
you,  believe  my  word,  that  she  parts  not  so  soon  nor  so 
easy." 

'•  Scoundrel  heathen,"  said  the  Christian  Knight,  "dost 
thoii  hold  that  language  to  a  Peer  of  France?" 

Agelastes  here  interposed,  and  using  the  sounding  lan- 
guage of  a  Grecian  cturtier,  reminded  the  Stythians, 
(mercenary  soltliers,  as  they  seemed,  of  the  empire.)  that 
all  violence  against  the  European  pilgrims  was,  by  the 
Imprrial  orders,  strictly  prohibited  under  pain  of  death. 

"  1  know  better,"  said  the  exulting  savage,  shaking  one 
or  two  javelins  with  broad  steel  heads,  and  wings  of  the 
eagle's  feather,  which  la-t  were  dabbled  in  blrxtd.  "  Ask 
the  wings  of  my  javelin,"  he  sai<l,  "  in  whose  heart's  blood 
these  feathers  have  been  dyed.  They  shall  reply  to  you, 
that  if  Alexius  Comnenus  be  the  friend  of  the  Kuropean 
pilgrims,  it  is  only  while  he  looks  upon  them  ;  ami  we  are 
too  exemjdary  soldiers  to  serve  our  Emperor  otherwise 
than  he  wishes  to  be  served." 

"  Peace,  Toxartis,"  said  tin;  pliih^^opher,  "  tliou  beliot 
thine  Emperor." 

"  Peace  thou  I"  said  Toxartis.  "or  I  will  do  a  deed  that 
mi-beeomes  a  soldier,  and  riil  the  world  of  a  [irating  old 
man." 


COUNT  ROBEKT  OF  PARIS.  241 

So  saying,  he  put  forth  his  hand  to  take  hold  of  the 
Countess's  veil.  With  the  readiness  whieh  frequent  use 
had  given  to  the  warlike  lady,  she  withdrew  herself  from 
the  heathen's  grasp,  and  with  her  trenchant  sword  dealt 
him  so  sufficient  a  blow,  that  Toxartis  lay  lifeless  on  the 
plain.  The  Count  leapt  on  the  fallen  leader's  steed,  and 
crying  his  war-cry,  "  Son  of  Charlemagne,  to  the  rescue  ! " 
he  rode  amid  the  rout  of  heathen  cavaliers  with  a  battle- 
axe,  which  he  found  at  the  saddlebow  of  the  deceased 
chieftain,  and  wielding  it  with  remorseless  dexterity,  he 
soon  slew  or  wounded,  or  compelled  to  flight,  the  ob- 
jects of  his  resentment  ;  nor  was  there  any  of  them  who 
abode  an  instant  to  support  the  boast  which  they  had 
made. 

"  The  despicable  churls  !  "  said  the  Countess  to  Age- 
lastes ;  "  it  irks  me  that  a  drop  of  such  coward  blood 
should  stain  the  hands  of  a  noble  knight.  They  call  their 
exercise  a  tournament,  although  in  their  whole  exertions 
every  blow  is  aimed  behind  the  back,  and  not  one  has  the 
courage  to  throw  his  windlestraw  while  he  perceives  that 
of  another  pointed  against  himself" 

"  Such  is  their  custom,"  said  Agelastes  ;  "  not  perhaps 
so  much  from  cowardice  as  from  habit,  in  exercising  be- 
fore his  Imperial  Majesty.  I  have  seen  that  Toxartis 
literally  turn  his  back  upon  the  mark  when  he  bent  his 
bow  in  full  career,  and  when  in  the  act  of  galloping  the 
farthest  from  his  object,  he  pierced  it  through  the  very 
centre  with  a  broad  arrow." 

"A  force  of  such  soldiers,"  said  Count  Robert,  who 
had  now  rejoined  his  friends,  "  could  not,  methinks,  be 
very  formidable,  where  there  was  but  an  ounce  of  gen- 
uine courage  in  the  assailants." 

"  Meantime,  let  us  pass  on  to  my  kiosk,"  said  Agelastes, 

VOL.    XLVII.  16 


242  MAVKltl.KY    NOVELS. 

''lest  (he  fugitives  find  i'lieiids  to  encourage  tliem  in 
thoughts  of  revenge." 

"Such  Iriends,"  said  Count  Robert,  ''mcthinks  the  in- 
solent heathens  ought  not  to  find  in  any  land  which  ealls 
itiself  Christian  ;  and  if  I  survive  the  conquest  of  the 
Holy  Sepulchre,  I  shall  make  it  my  first  business  to  in- 
quire by  what  right  your  Emperor  retains  in  his  service 
a  l)and  of  Paynim  and  unmannerly  cut-throats,  who  dare 
otfer  injury  upon  the  highway,  which  ought  to  be  sacred 
to  the  peace  of  God  and  the  king,  and  to  noble  ladies  and 
inoffensive  pilgrims.  It  is  one  of  a  list  of  many  ques- 
tions, which,  my  vow  accomplished,  I  will  not  fail  to  put 
to  him  ;  ay,  and  expecting  an  answer,  as  they  say,  prompt 
and  categorical." 

"You  shall  gain  no  answer  from  me  though."  said  Age- 
lastes  to  himself.  '*  Your  demands,  Sir  Knight,  are  over 
peremptory,  and  imposed  under  too  rigid  conditions,  to  be 
replied  to  by  those  who  can  evade  them." 

He  changed  the  conversation,  accordingly,  with  easy 
dexterity  ;  and  they  had  not  proceeded  much  farther, 
before  they  reached  a  spot,  the  natural  beauties  of  wiiich 
called  forth  the  admiration  of  iiis  foreign  companions.  A 
copious  brook  gushing  out  of  tlie  woodland,  descended  to 
the  sea  with  no  small  noise  and  tumult  ;  and,  as  if  dis- 
daining a  quieter  course,  which  it  might  have  gained  by 
a  little  circuit  to  the  right,  it  took  the  readiest  road  to  the 
ocean,  plunging  over  the  face  of  a  lofty  and  barren  preci- 
pice which  overhung  the  sea-shore,  and  from  tiiem^e  led 
its  little  tribute,  with  as  much  noise  as  if  it  liad  the  stream 
of  a  full  river  to  lx)ast  of,  to  the  waters  of  the  Hellespont. 

The  rock,  we  have  said,  was  bare,  unless  in  so  far  as  it 
was  clothcil  with  the  foaming  waters  of  the  cataract;  but 
tlie   banks  on  each   side   were  covered   witli  plane-trees, 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  243 

walnut-trees,  cypresses,  and  other  kinds  of  large  timber 
proper  to  the  East.  The  fall  of  water,  always  agreeable 
in  a  warm  climate,  and  generally  produced  by  artificial 
means,  was  here  natural,  and  had  been  chosen,  something 
like  the  Sibyl's  temple  at  Tivoli,  for  the  seat  of  a  goddess 
to  whom  the  invention  of  Polytheism  had  assigned  a  sov- 
ereignty over  the  department  around.  The  shrine  was 
small  and  circular,  like  many  of  the  lesser  temples  of  the 
rustic  deities,  and  enclosed  by  the  wall  of  an  outer  court. 
After  its  desecration,  it  had  probably  been  converted  into 
a  luxurious  summer  retreat  by  Agelastes,  or  some  Epicu- 
rean philosopher.  As  the  building,  itself  of  a  light,  airy, 
and  fantastic  character,  was  dimly  seen  through  the 
branches  and  foliage  on  the  edge  of  the  rock,  so  the 
mode  by  which  it  was  accessible  was  not  at  first  apparent 
amongst  the  mist  of  the  cascade.  A  pathway,  a  good 
deal  hidden  by  vegetation,  ascended  by  a  gentle  acclivity, 
and  prolonged  by  the  architect  by  means  of  a  few  broad 
and  easy  marble  steps,  making  part  of  the  original  ap- 
proach, conducted  the  passenger  to  a  small,  but  exqui- 
sitely lovely  velvet  lawn,  in  front  of  the  turret  or  temple 
we  have  described,  the  back  part  of  which  building  over- 
hung the  cataract. 


244  WAVKUKK.y    novkks. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

TllP  parties  met.     The  wily,  worily  Orwk, 
WeiKliiii^  ciioh  wnnl,  and  ranvassiii);  each  syllable, 
KTudiii);,  iirguiiii;,  ('quivoratiii);, 
And  the  storn  Frank  catnc  with  his  two-hand  sword, 
Watchino;  to  sec  which  way  the  balance  sways. 
That  he  may  throw  it  in,  and  turn  the  scales. 

Palestink. 

At  a  signal  iiiaili'  l»y  Agclastos,  ihc  door  of  lliis  roman- 
tic retreat  was  opened  by  Diogenes,  the  negro  slave,  to 
•whom  our  readers  have  been  already  introduced  ;  nor  did 
it  escape  the  wily  old  man,  that  the  Count  and  his  lady 
testified  some  wonder  at  his  form  and  lineaments,  being 
the  first  African  perhaps  whom  tlioy  had  ever  seen  so 
closely.  The  philosopher  lost  not  the  o|)])ortiinity  of 
making  an  impression  on  tlicir  minds,  V»y  a  disj)]av  of  the 
superiority  of  hi-;  knowliMJgc. 

••  Tliis  poor  l»<'ing,"  he  observed,  "  is  of  the  race  of 
Ham,  till'  undutiful  son  of  Noah  ;  for  his  transgressions 
against  his  jjan-iit,  he  was  banished  to  the  sands  of  Africa, 
and  was  condemned  to  be  the  fatlirr  of  a  race  doomed  to 
be  the  slaves  of  the  issue  of  his  nxnc  duliful  bn-thren." 

The  knight  and  his  lady  gazed  on  llic  wonderful  ap- 
pearance before  them,  and  did  not,  it  may  be  believed, 
tliiiik  of  doubting  the  information,  which  was  so  much  of 
a  pieee  with  their  prejudices,  while  their  opinion  of  their 


COUNT  UOBEUT  OF  PARIS.  245 

host  was  greatly  augmented  by  the  supposed  extent  of  his 
knowledge. 

"  It  gives  pleasure  to  a  man  of  humanity,"  continued 
Agelastes,  "  when,  in  old  age,  or  sickness,  we  must  em- 
ploy the  services  of  others,  which  is  at  other  times  scarce 
lawful,  to  choose  his  assistants  out  of  a  race  of  beings, 
hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water — from  their  birth 
upwards  destined  to  slavery  ;  and  to  whom,  therefore,  by 
employing  them  as  slaves,  we  render  no  injury,  but  carry 
into  effect,  in  a  slight  degree,  the  intentions  of  the  Great 
Being  who  made  us  all." 

"  Are  there  many  of  a  race,"  said  the  Countess,  "  so 
singularly  unhappy  in  their  destination  ?  I  have  hitherto 
thought  the  stories  of  black  men  as  idle  as  those  which 
minstrels  tell  of  fairies  and  ghosts." 

"  Do  not  believe  so,"  said  the  philosopher ;  "  the  race 
is  numerous  as  the  sands  of  the  sea,  neither  are  they  alto- 
gether unhappy  in  discharging  the  duties  which  their  fate 
has  allotted  them.  Those  who  are  of  worse  character 
suffer  even  in  this  life  the  penance  due  to  their  guilt ; 
they  become  the  slaves  of  the  cruel  and  tyrannical,  are 
beaten,  starved,  and  mutilated.  To  those  whose  moral 
characters  are  better,  better  masters  are  provided,  who 
share  with  their  slaves,  as  with  their  children,  food  and 
raiment,  and  the  other  good  things  which  they  themselves 
enjoy.  To  some.  Heaven  allots  the  favour  of  kings  and 
of  conqueroi's,  and  to  a  few,  but  those  the  chief  favourites 
of  the  species,  hath  been  assigned  a  place  in  the  mansions 
of  philosophy,  where,  by  availing  themselves  of  the  lights 
which  their  masters  can  afford,  they  gain  a  prospect  into 
that  world  which  is  the  residence  of  true  hai^piness." 

"  Methinks  I  understand  you,"  replied  the  Countess, 
"  and  if  so,  I  ought  rather  to  envy  our  sable  friend  here 


246  AVAVKKLKY    NOVKLS. 

than  to  i»ity  him,  lor  havhig  been  allotteil  in  tiie  partition 
ot"  his  kind  to  the  possession  of  Iiis  present  master,  from 
whom,  doubtless,  he  has  acquired  the  desirable  knowledge 
whieh  you  mention." 

"  He  learns,  at  least,"  said  Agelastes,  modestl}-,  "  what 
I  can  teaeli,  and,  above  all,  to  be  contented  with  his  situ- 
ation.— Diogenes,  my  good  child,"  said  he,  changing  his 
address  to  the  slave,  "  thou  seest  I  have  company — What 
does  the  poor  hei'mit's  larder  atFord,  with  which  he  may 
regale  his  honoured  guests  "i  " 

Hitherto  they  had  advanced  no  farther  than  a  sort  of 
outer  room,  or  hall  of  entrance,  fitted  up  with  no  more 
expense  than  might  have  suited  one  who  desired  at  some 
outlay,  and  more  taste,  to  avail  himself  of  the  ancient 
building  for  a  sequestered  and  private  retirement.  The 
chairs  and  couches  were  covered  with  Eastern  wove  mats, 
and  were  of  the  simplest  and  most  primitive  form.  But 
on  touching  a  spring,  an  interior  apartment  was  displayed, 
which  had  considerable  pretension  to  splendour  and  mag- 
nificence. 

The  furniture  and  hangings  of  this  apartnicnt  were  of 
straw-coloured  silk,  wrought  on  the  looms  ot  l'rr>ia,  and 
crossed  with  embroidery,  which  produced  a  rich,  yet  sim- 
ple effect.  The  ceiling  was  carved  in  Arabesrpie,  and 
the  four  corners  of  the  apartment  were  foruiid  into  re- 
cesses for  statuary,  which  had  been  produced  in  a  better 
age  of  the  art  than  that  whicli  existed  at  the  period  of  our 
story.  In  one  nook,  a  >hfpherd  seemed  to  withdraw  him- 
self, as  if  ashami'd  to  produce  his  scantily-covered  jierson, 
while  he  was  willing  to  afford  the  audiences  the  music 
of  the  reed  whicli  he  held  in  his  hand.  Three  damsels, 
resembling  the  Graces  in  the  bi-anliliil  proportions  of  their 
limbs,  and  the  slendir  clothing  which  they  wore,  linked  in 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  247 

different  attitudes,  each  in  her  own  niche,  and  seemed  but 
to  await  the  first  sound  of  the  music,  to  bound  forth  from 
thence  and  join  in  the  froHc  dance.  The  subject  was 
beautiful,  yet  somewhat  light,  to  ornament  the  study  of 
such  a  sage  as  Agelastes  represented  himself  to  be. 

He  seemed  to  be  sensible  that  this  might  attract  obser- 
vation.— "  These  figures,"  he  said,  "  executed  at  the  period 
of  the  highest  excellence  of  Grecian  art,  were  considered 
of  old  as  the  choral  nymphs  assembled  to  adoi'e  the  god- 
dess of  the  place,  waiting  but  the  music  to  join  in  the 
worship  of  the  temple.  And,  in  truth,  the  wisest  may  be 
interested  in  seeing  how  near  to  animation  the  genius  of 
these  wonderful  men  could  bring  the  inflexible  marble. 
Allow  but  for  the  absence  of  the  divine  afflatus,  or  breath 
of  animation,  and  an  unenhghtened  heathen  might  sup- 
pose the  miracle  of  Prometheus  was  about  to  be  realized. 
But  we,"  said  he,  looking  upwards,  "  are  taught  to  form  a 
better  judgment  between  what  man  can  do  and  the  pro- 
ductions of  the  Deity," 

Some  subjects  of  natural  history  were  painted  on  the 
walls,  and  the  philosopher  fixed  the  attention  of  his  guests 
upon  the  half-reasoning  elephant,  of  which  he  mentioned 
several  anecdotes,  which  they  listened  to  with  great 
eagerness. 

A  distant  strain  was  here  heard,  as  if  of  music  in  the 
woods,  penetrating  by  fits,  through  the  hoarse  roar  of  the 
cascade,  which,  as  it  sunk  immediately  below  the  windows, 
filled  the  apartment  with  its  deep  voice. 

"  Apparently,"  said  Agelastes,  "  the  friends  whom  I 
expected  are  approaching,  and  bring  with  them  the 
means  of  enchanting  another  sense.  It  is  well  they  do 
so,  since  wisdom  tells  us  that  we  best  honour  the  Deity 
by  enjoying  the  gifts  he  has  provided  us." 


218  WAVKKI.KY    NOVKF.S. 

TliL'sc  words  i"illfil  the  attt-ntiuii  ol'  tlic  pliilosopher'ii 
Frankisih  guests  to  tlic  jjicparjitions  exliibitctl  in  this 
tasteful  saloon.  These  were  made  for  an  entertainment 
in  the  manner  of  the  aneient  Koinans,  and  eonehes,  which 
were  laid  beside  a  table  ready  decked,  aniioniiced  that  thu 
male  guests,  at  least,  were  to  assist  at  the  banquet  in  the 
u.-ual  recumbent  posture  of  the  ancients  ;  while  seats, 
placed  among  the  couches,  seemed  to  say  that  females 
were  expected,  who  would  observe  the  Grecian  customs, 
in  eating  seated.  The  preparations  for  good  cheer  were 
such  as,  though  limited  in  extent,  could  scarce  be  excelled 
in  quality,  either  by  the  splendid  dishes  which  decked 
Trimalehio's  banquet  of  former  days,  or  the  lighter  deli- 
cacies of  Grecian  cookery,  or  the  succulent  and  liighly- 
spiced  messes  indulged  in  by  the  nations  of  the  East,  to 
whichever  they  happened  to  give  the  preference ;  and  it 
was  with  an  air  of  some  vanity  that  Agelastes  asked  his 
guests  to  share  a  poor  pilgrim's  meal. 

"We  care  little  for  dainties,"  said  the  Count;  "nor  does 
our  present  course  of  life  as  pilgrims,  bound  by  a  vow, 
allow  us  much  choice  on  such  subjects.  Whatever  is 
food  for  soldiers,  sufliccs  the  Countess  and  myself;  for, 
with  our  will,  we  would  at  every  hour  be  ready  for  battle, 
and  the  less  time  we  use  in  preparing  for  the  field,  it  is 
even  so  much  tiie  better.  Sit  then,  lirenhilda,  since  the 
good  man  will  liave  it  so,  and  let  ns  lose  no  time  in 
refreshment,  lestwe  wa-lc  that  wliich  >h(iiild  be  otherwise 
employed." 

"A  moment's  forgiveness,"  said  Agelastes,  "  until  the 
arrival  of  my  other  friends,  whose  music  you  may  now 
hwir  is  close  at  hand,  and  who  will  not  long,  I  may  safely 
promise,  divide  you  from  your  im  al." 

"For  liiat,"  said   tin-   Counl. '"  tliere   i>  no  haste;  and 


COUTST    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  249 

since  you  seem  to  account  it  a  part  of  civil  manners, 
Brenhilda  and  I  can  with  ease  postpone  our  repast,  unless 
you  will  permit  us,  what  I  own  would  be  more  pleasing, 
to  take  a  morsel  of  bread  and  a  cup  of  water  presently ; 
and,  thus  refreshed,  to  leave  the  space  clear  for  your  more 
curious  and  more  familiar  guests." 

"  The  saints  above  forbid  ! "  said  Agelastes  ;  "  guests  so 
honoured  never  before  pressed  these  cushions,  nor  could 
do  so,  if  the  sacred  family  of  the  imperial  Alexius  himself 
even  now  stood  at  the  gate." 

He  had  hardly  uttered  these  words,  when  the  full-blown 
peal  of  a  trumpet,  louder  in  a  tenfold  degree  than  the 
strains  of  music  they  had  before  heard,  was  now  sounded 
in  the  front  of  the  temple,  piercing  through  the  murmur 
of  the  waterfall,  as  a  Damascus  blade  penetrates  the 
armour,  and  assailing  the  ears  of  the  hearers,  as  the 
sword  pierces  the  flesh  of  him  who  wears  the  harness. 

"  You  seem  surprised  or  alarmed,  father,"  said  Count 
Robert.  "  Is  there  danger  near,  and  do  you  distrust  our 
protection  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Agelastes,  "  that  w^ould  give  me  confi- 
dence in  any  extremity ;  but  these  sounds  excite  awe, 
not  fear.  They  tell  me  that  some  of  the  imperial  family 
are  about  to  be  my  guests.  Yet  fear  nothing,  my  noble 
friends — they,  whose  look  is  life,  are  ready  to  shower 
their  favours  with  profusion  upon  strangers  so  worthy 
of  honour  as  they  will  see  here.  Meantime,  my  brow 
must  touch  my  threshold,  in  order  duly  to  welcome 
them."  So  saying,  he  hurried  to  the  outer  door  of  the 
building, 

"  Each  land  has  its  customs,"  said  the  Count,  as  he 
followed  his  host,  with  his  wife  hanging  on  his  arm ;  "  but, 
Brenhilda,  as  they  are  so  various,  it  is  little  wonder  that 


250 


"\v A V I". K I .  i; Y  \ o V i: i, s . 


they  appear  un*eoinly  to  t-acli  other.  Here,  however,  in 
(leferenee  to  my  entertainer.  I  stoop  my  crest,  in  the 
maiim-r  which  seems  to  be  r((|iiirr(l."  So  sayinj;,  he  fol- 
lowed Agelastes  into  the  antcidom,  where  a  new  scene 
awaited  them. 


COUNT  UOBKKT  OF  PARIS.  251 


CPIAPTER   XIII. 

Agelastes  gained  his  threshold  before  Count  Robert 
of  Paris  and  his  lady.  He  had,  therefore,  time  to  make 
his  prostrations  before  a  huge  animal,  then  unknown  to 
the  western  world,  but  now  universally  distinguished  as 
the  elephant.  On  its  back  was  a  pavilion  or  palanquin, 
within  which  were  enclosed  the  august  persons  of  the 
Empress  Irene,  and  her  daughter  Anna  Comnena.  Nice- 
phorus  Bi-iennius  attended  the  Princesses  in  the  command 
of  a  gallant  body  of  light  horse,  whose  splendid  armour 
would  have  given  more  pleasure  to  the  crusader,  if  it  had 
possessed  less  an  air  of  useless  wealth  and  effeminate  mag- 
nificence. But  the  effect  which  it  produced  in  its  appear- 
ance was  as  brilliant  as  could  well  be  conceived.  The 
officers  alone  of  this  corps  de  garde  followed  Nicephorus 
to  the  platform,  prostrated  themselves  while  the  ladies  of 
the  Imperial  house  descended,  and  rose  up  again  under  a 
cloud  of  waving  plumes  and  flashing  lances,  when  they 
stood  secure  upon  the  platform  in  front  of  the  building. 
Here  the  somewhat  aged,  but  commanding  form  of  the 
Empress,  and  the  still  juvenile  beauties  of  the  fair  his- 
torian, were  seen  to  great  advantage.  In  the  front  of  a 
deep  background  of  spears  and  waving  crests,  stood  the 
sounder  of  the  sacred  trumpet,  conspicuous  by  his  size 
and  the  richness  of  his  apparel ;  he  kept  his  post  on  a 
rock  above  the  stone  staircase,  and,  by  an  occasional  note 


252  WAVl.lM.l.V    NOVKI.S. 

of  liis  iii.-tiiiniciit,  intiinattMl  to  tlic  s(jii:ulrons  hcneath  tliat 
tliey  should  stay  their  progross,  and  attend  tlie  motions  of 
thr  Kin|iiess  and  the  wife  of  the  C;esar. 

The  fair  form  of  the  Countess  lirenhilda,  and  the  fan- 
tastic appearance  of  her  half  masculine  garb,  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  ladies  of  Alexius'  family,  but  was  too 
extraordinary  to  eommaiid  their  admiration.  Agelastes 
became  sen>ilile  there  was  a  necessity  that  he  should 
introduce  his  guests  to  each  other,  if  he  desired  they 
should  meet  on  satisfactory  terms.  "  May  I  speak,"  he 
.said,  "  and  live  ?  The  armed  strangers  whom  you  find 
now  with  me  arc  worthy  companions  of  those  myriads, 
whom  zeal  for  the  suffering  inhal)itants  of  Palestine  hjus 
brought  from  the  western  extremity  of  Europe,  at  once  to 
enjoy  the  countenance  of  Alexius  Comnenus,  and  to  aid 
him,  since  it  pleases  him  to  accept  their  assistance,  in  ex- 
pelling the  Paynims  from  the  bounds  of  the  sacred  empire, 
and  garrison  those  regions  in  their  stead,  as  vassals  of  his 
Imperial  Majesty." 

"  We  are  j)leased,"  said  the  Empress,  '•  worthy  Age- 
lastes, that  you  should  be  kind  to  those  who  are  disposed 
to  be  so  reverent  to  the  Emperor.  And  we  are  rather 
disposed  to  talk  with  them  ourselves,  that  our  daughter 
(whom  Apollo  hath  gifted  with  the  choice  talent  of  re- 
cording what  she  sees)  may  become  acquainted  with  one 
of  those  female  warriors  of  the  "NV«'st,  of  whcjm  we  have 
heard  so  much  by  common  fame,  and  yet  know  so  little 
with  cerlairity." 

"Madam,"  saiil  the  C'ounl.  "  I  ran  1)nl  rudely  express 
to  you  what  I  have  to  find  fault  with  in  llie  explanation 
which  this  old  man  hath  given  of  (lur  purpose  in  coming 
hither.  Certain  it  is,  we  neither  owe  Alexius  fealty,  nor 
had  we  the  j)urpose  of  paying  him  any,  when  we  look  the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PAUIS.  253 

VOW  upon  ourselves  which  brought  us  agtiinst  Asia.  We 
came,  because  we  uuderstood  that  the  Holy  Land  had 
been  torn  from  the  Greek  Emperor  by  the  Pagans,  Sar- 
acens, Turks,  and  other  infidels,  from  whom  we  are  come 
to  win  it  back.  The  wisest  and  most  prudent  among  us 
have  judged  it  necessary  to  acknowledge  the  Emperor's 
authority,  since  there  was  no  such  safe  way  of  passing  to 
the  discharge  of  our  vow,  as  that  of  acknowledging  fealty 
to  him,  as  the  best  mode  of  preventing  quarrels  among 
Christian  States.  We,  though  independent  of  any  eai'thly 
king,  do  not  pretend  to  be  greater  men  than  they,  and 
therefore  have  condescended  to  pay  the  same  homage." 

The  Empress  coloured  several  times  with  indignation 
in  the  course  of  this  speech,  which,  in  more  passages  than 
one,  was  at  variance  with  those  imperial  maxims  of  the 
Grecian  court,  which  held  its  dignity  so  high,  and  plainly 
intimated  a  tone  of  opinion  which  was  depreciating  to  the 
Emperor's  power.  But  the  Empress  Irene  had  received 
instructions  from  her  imperial  spouse  to  beware  how  she 
gave,  or  even  took,  any  ground  of  quarrel  with  the  cru- 
saders, who,  though  coming  in  the  appearance  of  subjects, 
were,  nevertheless,  too  punctilious  and  ready  to  take  fire, 
to  render  them  safe  discussers  of  delicate  differences. 
She  made  a  graceful  reverence  accordingly,  as  if  she  had 
scarce  understood  what  the  Count  of  Paris  had  explained 
so  bluntly. 

At  this  moment  the  appearance  of  the  principal  per- 
sons on  either  hand  attracted,  in  a  wonderful  degree,  the 
attention  of  the  other  party,  and  there  seemed  to  exist 
among  them  a  general  desire  of  further  acquaintance, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  a  manifest  difficulty  in  expressing 
such  a  wish. 

Agelastes — to  begin  with  the  master  of  the  house — 


'2'>i  WAvr.Ki.r.Y  Novr.Ls. 

had  risen  from  tlip  giouiul  iniU'ed,  but  williniit  voiitiiring 
to  assume  an  upriglit  posture  ;  he  reuiained  before  the 
Imperial  hxdies  with  his  body  and  head  still  bent,  his  band 
interposed  between  liis  eyes  and  their  faces,  like  a  man 
that  would  shade  his  eyesight  from  the  level  sun,  and 
awaited  in  silence  the  commands  of  those  to  whom  he 
seemed  to  think  it  disrespectful  to  propose  the  slightest 
action,  save  ])y  testifying  in  general,  that  his  house  and  his 
slaves  were  at  their  unlimited  command.  The  Countess 
of  Paris,  on  the  other  hand,  and  her  warlike  husband,  were 
the  peculiar  objects  of  curiosity  to  Irene,  and  her  accom- 
plished daughter,  Anna  Comnena  ;  and  it  occurred  to 
both  these  Imperial  ladies,  that  they  had  never  seen  Hner 
specimens  of  human  strength  and  beauty ;  but  by  a  nat- 
ural instinct,  they  preferred  the  manly  bearing  of  the 
husband  to  that  of  the  wife,  which  seemed  to  her  own  sex 
rather  too  haughty  and  too  masculine  to  be  altogether 
pleasing. 

Count  Robert  and  his  lady  had  al-o  their  own  object 
of  attention  in  the  newly  arrived  group,  and,  to  speak 
truth,  it  was  nothing  else  than  the  peculiarities  of  the 
monstrous  animal  which  they  now  saw,  for  the  first  time, 
employed  as  a  beast  of  I)urden  in  the  service  of  the  fair 
Irene  and  her  daughter.  Tiie  dignity  and  splendour  of 
the  eld(!r  Princess,  the  grace  and  vivacity  of  the  younger, 
were  alike  lost  in  Brenhilda's  earnest  impiiries  into  the 
history  of  the  elephant,  and  the  use  which  it  made  of  its 
trunk,  tusks,  and  huge  ears,  upon  different  occasions. 

Another  person,  who  took  a  less  direct  opportunity  to 
gaze  on  Brenhilda  witli  a  dee[)  degree  of  interest,  wa^  the 
Ciesar,  Nieephorus.  This  Prince  kept  his  eye  as  steadily 
upon  the  Franki-h  Counti-ss  as  he  could  well  do,  without 
attracting  the  attention,  and  exciting  perhaps  the  suspi- 


COUNT  UOBKUT  OF  PARIS.  255 

cions,  of  his  wife  and  motlier-in-law  ;  he  therefore  en- 
deavoured to  restore  speech  to  an  interview  which  would 
have  been  awkward  without  it.  "  It  is  possible,"  he  said, 
"beautiful  Countess,  that  this  being  your  first  visit  to  the 
Queen  of  the  World,  you  have  never  hitherto  seen  the 
singularly  cui'ious  animal  called  the  elephant." 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  the  Countess,  "  I  have  been  treated 
by  this  learned  gentleman  to  a  sight,  and  some  account  of 
that  wonderful  ci'eature." 

By  all  who  heard  this  observation,  the  Lady  Brenhilda 
was  supposed  to  have  made  a  satirical  thi'ust  at  the  phi- 
losopher himself,  who,  in  the  imperial  court,  usually  went 
by  the  name  of  the  Elephant. 

"  No  one  could  describe  the  beast  more  accurately  than 
Agelastes,"  said  the  Princess,  with  a  smile  of  intelligence, 
which  went  round  her  attendants. 

"  He  knows  its  docility,  its  sensibility,  and  its  fidelity," 
said  the  philosopher,  in  a  subdued  tone. 

"  True,  good  Agelastes,"  said  the  Princess  ;  "  we  should 
not  criticise  the  animal  which  kneels  to  take  us  up. — 
Come,  lady  of  a  foreign  land,"  she  continued,  turning  to 
the  Frank  Count,  and  especially  his  Countess — "  and  you 
her  gallant  lord !  When  you  return  to  your  native  coun- 
try, you  shall  say  you  have  seen  the  Imperial  family  par- 
take of  their  food,  and  in  so  far  acknowledge  themselves 
to  be  of  the  same  clay  with  other  mortals,  sharing  their 
poorest  wants,  and  relieving  them  in  the  same  manner." 

"  That,  gentle  lady,  I  can  well  believe,"  said  Count 
Robert ;  ''  my  curiosity  would  be  more  indulged  by  seeing 
this  strange  animal  at  his  food." 

"  You  will  see  the  elephant  more  conveniently  at  his 
mess  within  doors,"  answered  the  Princess,  looking  at 
Agelastes. 


2oC>  WAVI.IM.KY    NOVELS. 

"  Latl},''  i^aid  BiviiliiUla,  "  I  would  not  willingly  refuse 
an  invitation  given  in  courtesy,  but  the  sun  has  waxed 
low  unnotic(^d,  and  we  must  return  to  the  city." 

"Be  not  afraid,"  said  the  fair  historian;  "you  shall 
have  the  advantage  of  our  Imperial  escort  to  protect  you 
in  your  return." 

"  Fear  ?  —  afraid  ? —  escort  ? —  protect  ?  —  Tliose  are 
words  I  know  not.  Know,  lady,  that  my  husband,  the 
noble  Count  of  Paris,  is  my  sufTicifut  escort  ;  and  even 
were  he  not  with  me,  Brcnhilda  de  Aspramonte  fears 
notiiing,  and  can  defend  herself." 

"  Fair  daughter,"  said  Agelastes,  "  if  I  may  be  permit- 
tcfl  to  speak,  you  mistake  the  gracious  intentions  of  the 
Princess,  who  expresses  herself  as  to  a  lady  of  her  own 
land.  AVliat  she  desires  is  to  learn  from  you  some  of  the 
most  marked  hal)its  and  manners  of  the  Franks,  of  which 
you  are  so  beautifid  an  example  ;  and  in  return  for  such 
information,  the  illustrious  Princess  would  be  glad  to  pro- 
cure your  entrance  to  those  spacious  collections,  where 
animals  from  all  corners  of  the  habitable  world  have 
been  assembled  at  the  command  of  our  Emperor  Alexius, 
as  if  to  satisfy  the  wisdom  of  those  sages  to  whom  all  crea- 
tion is  known,  from  the  deer  so  small  in  size  that  it  is 
exceeded  by  an  ordinary  rat,  to  that  huge  and  singular 
inhabitant  of  Africa  that  can  browse  on  the  tops  of  trees 
that  are  forty  feet  high,  while  the  length  of  its  hind  legs 
does  not  exceed  the  half  of  that  wondrous  height." 

"  It  is  enough,"  said  the  Coimtess,  with  some  eager- 
ness ;  but  Agelastes  had  got  a  point  of  discussion  after 
liis  own  mind. 

"Thirc  i-;  also."  h<'  said,  "that  liugf  lizard,  whicii,  re- 
sf'ml)ling  in  shap<^  the  harmless  inhaliitanf  of  the  moors 
of  other  countries,  is  in    Kgypt  a  monster  ibirly   fret   in 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  257 

length,  clotlicd  in  impenetrable  scales,  and  moaning  over 
his  prey  when  he  catches  it,  with  tlic  hope  and  pMr[)ose 
of  drawing  others  within  his  danger,  by  mimicking  the 
lamentations  of  humanity." 

"  Say  no  more,  father  !  "  exclaimed  the  lady.  "  My 
Robert,  we  will  go — will  we  not,  where  such  objects  are 
to  be  seen  ?  " 

"  There  is  also,"  said  Agelastes,  who  saw  that  he  would 
gain  his  point  by  addressing  himself  to  the  curiosity  of 
the  strangers,  "  the  huge  animal,  wearing  on  its  back  an 
invulnerable  vestment,  having  on  its  nose  a  horn,  and 
sometimes  two,  the  folds  of  whose  hide  are  of  the  most 
immense  thickness,  and  which  never  knight  was  able  to 
wound." 

"We  will  go,  Robert — will  we  not?"  reiterated  the 
Countess. 

"  Ay,"  replied  the  Count,  "  and  teach  these  Easterns 
how  to  judge  of  a  knight's  sword,  by  a  single  blow  of  my 
trusty  Tranchefer." 

"And  who  knows,"  said  Brenhilda,  "since  this  is  a 
land  of  enchantment,  but  what  some  person,  who  is 
languishing  in  a  foreign  shape,  may  have  their  enchant- 
ment unexpectedly  dissolved  by  a  stroke  of  the  good 
weapon  ?  " 

"  Say  no  more,  father !  "  exclaimed  the  Count.  "  We 
will  attend  this  Princess,  since  such  she  is,  were  her 
whole  escort  bent  to  oppose  our  passage,  instead  of  being 
by  her  command  to  be  our  guard.  For  know,  all  who 
hear  me,  thus  much  of  the  nature  of  the  Franks,  that 
when  you  tell  us  of  danger  and  difficulties,  you  give  us 
the  same  desire  to  travel  the  road  where  they  lie,  as  other 
men  have  in  seeking  either  pleasure  or  profit  in  the  paths 
in  which  such  are  to  be  found." 

VOL.   XLVII.  17 


258  ■\V.VVE1!I.1.Y    NOVKLS. 

A*  tilt'  Count  pniiioiiiicid  tliosc  wonl-;.  li<^  -truck  liis 
liand  upon  liis  TraiicIi('fi.T,  as  an  illiistratii»ii  of  the 
maniuT  in  wliich  he  purposed  upon  occasion  to  make 
good  his  way.  Tlie  courtly  circle  starth'd  somewhat  at 
the  clash  of  steel,  and  the  fiery  look  of  the  chivalTOUs 
Count  Robert.  The  Empress  indulged  her  alarm  by 
retreating  into  the  inner  apartment  of  the  pavilion, 

AVith  a  grace,  which  was  rarely  deigned  to  any  but 
those  in  close  alliance  with  the  Imperial  family,  Anna 
Comnena  took  the  arm  of  the  noble  Count.  "  I  see," 
she  said,  "  that  the  Imi)erial  ^Mother  has  honoured  the 
house  of  the  learned  Ag(;lastes,  by  leading  the  way ; 
therefore,  to  teach  you  Grecian  ])reeding  must  fall  to  my 
share."  Saying  this  she  conducted  him  to  the  iimer 
apartment. 

"  Fear  not  fur  your  wife,"  she  said,  as  she  noticed  the 
Frank  look  ntund;  "our  husband,  like  ourselves,  has 
pleasure  in  showing  attention  to  the  stranger,  and  will 
lead  the  Countess  to  our  boaid.  It  is  not  tlic  custom  of 
the  Imp<'rial  family  to  eat  in  company  witli  strangers; 
but  we  tliank  Heaven  for  having  instructed  us  in  that 
civility,  wliich  can  know  no  degradation  in  dispensing 
with  ordinary  rules  to  do  honour  to  strangers  of  such 
merit  as  yours.  I  know  it  will  be  my  molli<-r's  request, 
that  you  will  take  your  places  without  ceremony;  and 
also,  althougli  the  grace  be  somewliat  particular,  I  am 
sure  that  it  will  have  my  Imperial  father's  approbation." 

"  Be  it  as  yctur  ladyship  lists,"  said  Coimt  Hobert, 
"There  arc  few  men  to  whom  I  would  yield  place  at  the 
board,  if  they  had  not  gone  before  me  in  the  battle-field. 
-To  a  lady,  esj»ecially  so  fair  a  one,  I  willingly  yit-ld  my 
place,  and  bend  my  knee,  whenever  I  have  the  good  hap 
to  meet  her." 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  FARIS,  2o9 

The  Princess  Anna,  instead  of  feeling  herself  awkward 
in  the  discharge  of  the  extraordinary,  and,  as  she  might 
have  thought  it,  degrading  office  of  ushering  a  barbarian 
chief  to  the  banquet,  felt,  on  the  contrary,  flattered,  at 
having  bent  to  her  purpose  a  heart  so  obstinate  as  that 
of  Count  Robert,  and  elated,  perhaps,  with  a  certain 
degree  of  satisfied  pride  while  under  his  momentary 
protection. 

The  Empress  Irene  had  already  seated  herself  at  the 
head  of  the  table.  She  looked  with  some  astonishment, 
when  her  daughter  and  son-in-law,  taking  their  seats  at 
her  right  and  left  hand,  invited  the  Count  and  Countess 
of  Paris,  the  former  to  recline,  the  latter  to  sit  at  the 
board,  in  the  places  next  to  themselves ;  but  she  had 
received  the  strictest  orders  from  her  husband  to  be 
deferential  in  every  respect  to  the  strangers,  and  did  not 
think  it  right,  therefore,  to  interpose  any  ceremonious 
scruples. 

The  Countess  took  her  seat,  as  indicated,  beside  the 
Cfesar ;  and  the  Count,  instead  of  reclining  in  the  mode 
of  the  Grecian  men,  also  seated  himself  in  the  European 
fashion  by  the  Princess. 

"  I  will  not  lie  prostrate,"  said  he,  laughing,  "  except  in 
consideration  of  a  blow  weighty  enough  to  compel  me 
to  do  so ;  nor  then  either,  if  I  am  able  to  start  up  and 
return  it." 

The  service  of  the  table  then  began,  and,  to  say  truth, 
it  appeared  to  be  an  important  part  of  the  business  of  the 
day.  The  officers  who  attended  to  perform  their  several 
duties  of  deckers  of  the  table,  sewers  of  the  banquet, 
removers  and  tasters  to  the  Imperial  family,  thronged 
into  the  banqueting  room,  and  seemed  to  vie  with  each 
other  in  calling  upon  Agelastes  for  spices,  condiments, 


200  WAVKUI.KY    NOVKLS. 

sauces,  ami  wines  of  various  kinds,  the  variety  and  niiilli- 
plicity  of  their  demands  being  apparently  devised  ex  pre- 
posito,  for  stirring  the  patienee  of  tiie  philosopher.  But 
Agelastes,  who  had  antiei[)ated  most  of  their  reque-ts, 
however  unusual,  supplied  them  completely,  or  in  the 
greatest  part,  by  the  ready  agency  of  his  acti\e  slave 
Diogenes,  to  whom,  at  the  same  time,  he  contrived  to 
transfer  all  hlnini-  fur  ilic  absence  of  such  articles  as  he 
was  unable  to  provide. 

"  Be  Homer  my  witness,  the  accon)pli>Ii('tl  ^'irgil,  ami 
the  curious  felicity  of  Horace,  that,  trifling  and  unworthy 
as  this  banquet  was,  my  note  of  directions  to  this  thrice 
unhappy  slave  gave  the  instructions  to  procure  every  in- 
gredient necessary  to  convey  to  each  dish  its  proper  gusto. 
— Ill-omened  earrion  that  thou  art,  wherefore  placed-^t 
thou  the  pickled  cucumber  so  far  apart  from  the  boar's 
head?  and  why  are  these  superb  congers  unprovided 
with  a  requisite  quantity  of  fennel?  The  divorce  betwixt 
the  shell-fish  and  tin'  C'hian  wine  in  a  prfSiMice  like  this, 
is  worthy  of  the  divorce  of  thine  own  soul  from  thy 
body ;  or,  to  say  the  least,  of  a  lifelong  residence  in  the 
Pistrinum."  While  thus  the  philosoper  proceeded  with 
threats,  curses,  and  menaces  agiunst  his  slave,  the 
stranger  might  have  an  opportunity  of  comparing  the 
little  torrent  of  his  domestic  elo(iuence,  which  the  man- 
ners of  the  times  did  not  consider  as  ill-bred,  with  the 
louder  and  deeper  share  of  adulation  towards  his  guests. 
They  mingle<l  like  the  oil  with  tiie  vinegar  .and  pickles 
which  Diogenes  mixed  for  the  sauce.  Thus  'the  Count 
and  C'i'Uiiti'-s  liinl  an  op|iortuMily  to  estimate  the  hapi)i- 
ness  and  the  felicity  re.-<rved  for  those  slaves,  whom  the 
omnipotent  Jupiter,  in  the  pleiiitiid<>  of  compassion  for 
their  state,  and  in  guf-rdon  of  tln.ir  go<)d  morals,  hail  dedi- 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  261 

cated  to  the  service  of  a  philosopher.  The  share  they 
themselves  took  in  the  banquet,  was  finished  with  a 
degree  of  speed  which  gave  surprise  not  only  to  their 
host,  but  also  to  the  Imperial  guests. 

The  Count  helped  himself  carelessly  out  of  a  dish 
which  stood  near  him,  and  partaking  of  a  draught  of 
wine,  without  inquiring  whether  it  was  of  the  vintage 
which  the  Greeks  held  it  matter  of  conscience  to  mingle 
with  that  species  of  food,  he  declared  himself  satisfied; 
nor  could  the  obliging  entreaties  of  his  neighbour,  Anna 
Comnena  induce  him  to  partake  of  other  messes  repre- 
sented as  being  either  delicacies  or  curiosities.  His 
spouse  ate  still  more  moderately  of  the  food  which 
seemed  most  simply  cooked,  and  stood  nearest  her  at 
the  board,  and  partook  of  a  cup  of  crystal  water,  which 
she  slightly  tinged  with  wine,  at  the  persevering  entreaty 
of  the  Cfesar.  They  then  relinquished  the  farther  busi- 
ness of  the  banquet,  and  leaning  back  upon  their  seats, 
occupied  themselves  in  watching  the  liberal  credit  done  to 
the  feast  by  the  rest  of  the  guests  present. 

A  modern  synod  of  gourmands  would  hardly  have 
equalled  the  Imperial  family  of  Greece  seated  at  a 
philosophical  banquet,  whether  in  the  critical  knowledge 
displayed  of  the  science  of  eating  in  all  its  branches,  or 
in  the  practical  cost  and  patience  with  which  they  exer- 
cised it.  The  ladies,  indeed,  did  not  eat  much  of  any 
one  dish,  but  they  tasted  of  almost  all  that  were  presented 
to  them,  and  their  name  was  Legion.  Yet,  after  a  short 
time,  in  Homeric  phrase,  the  rage  of  thirst  and  hunger 
was  assuaged,  or,  more  probably,  the  Princess  Anna 
Comnena  was  tired  of  being  an  object  of  some  inatten- 
tion to  the  guest  who  sat  next  her,  and  who,  joining  his 
high  military  character  to  his  very  handsome  presence, 


262  WAVKKI.KV    NOVELS. 

wa.-5  a  ppr>:on  l)v  wlioin  fow  ladies  would  willingly  be 
neglected.  TIkto  is  no  new  guise,  says  our  father 
Chaucer,  but  what  resembles  an  old  one ;  and  the 
address  of  Anna  Comnena  to  the  Prankish  Count  might 
resemble  that  of  a  modern  lady  of  fashion,  in  her 
attempts  to  engage  in  conversation  the  exquisite,  who  sits 
by  her  side  in  an  apparently  absent  fit.  "  We  have 
piped  unto  you,"  said  the  Princess,  "  and  you  have  not 
danced  I  We  have  sung  to  you  tlie  jovial  chorus  of  Eroe, 
evoe,  and  you  will  neither  worsliip  Comus  nor  Bacchus! 
Are  we  then  to  judge  you  a  follower  of  the  Muses,  in 
whose  service,  as  well  as  in  that  of  Phoebus,  we  ourselves 
pretend  to  be  enlisted  ?  " 

"  Fair  lady,"  replied  the  Frank,  "  be  not  offended  at 
my  stating  once  for  all,  in  plain  terms,  that  I  am  a  Chris- 
tian man,  spitting  at,  and  bidding  defiance  to  Apollo, 
Bacchus,  Coraus,  and  all  other  heathen  deities  whatso- 
ever." 

"O!  cruel  interpretation  of  my  unwaiy  words!"  said 
the  Princess ;  "  I  did  but  mention  the  gods  of  music, 
poetry,  and  eloquence,  worshipped  by  our  tli\ine  philos- 
ophers, and  whose  names  are  still  used  to  distinguish  the 
arts  and  sciences  over  which  they  presided — and  the 
Count  interprets  it  seriously  into  a  breach  of  the  second 
commandment !  Our  Lady  preserve  me,  we  must  take 
care  how  we  s[)eak,  when  our  words  are  so  sharjily  inter- 
preted." 

The  Count  laughed  as  the  Princess  spoke.  "  1  had  no 
offensive  meaning,  madam,"  lie  saiil,  ''  nor  wouM  I  wish 
to  interpret  your  words  otherwise  than  as  being  most  in- 
nocent and  ])rai«ie\vorthy.  I  shall  suppose  that  your 
speech  contained  all  that  was  fair  and  blameless.  You 
are.  I  have  un<ler>tood,  one  of  those  who,  like  our  worthy 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  263 

host,  express  in  composition  the  history  and  feats  of  the 
warlike  time  in  which  you  live,  and  give  to  the  posterity 
wliich  shall  succeed  us,  the  knowledge  of  the  brave  deeds 
which  have  been  acliieved  in  our  day.  I  respect  the  task 
to  which  you  have  dedicated  yourself,  and  know  not  how 
a  lady  could  lay  after  ages  under  an  obligation  to  her  in 
the  same  degree,  unless,  like  my  wife,  Brenhilda,  she  were 
herself  to  be  the  actress  of  deeds  which  she  recorded. 
And,  by  the  way,  she  now  looks  towards  her  neighbour 
at  the  table,  as  if  she  were  about  to  rise  and  leave  him ; 
her  inclinations  are  towai'ds  Constantinople,  and,  with 
your  ladyship's  permission,  I  cannot  allow  her  to  go 
thither  alone." 

"  That  you  shall  neither  of  you  do,"  said  Anna  Com- 
nena ;  "  since  we  all  go  to  the  capital  directly,  and  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  those  wonders  of  nature,  of  which 
numerous  examples  have  been  collected  by  the  splendour 
of  my  Imperial  father. — If  my  husband  seems  to  have 
given  offence  to  the  Countess,  do  not  suppose  that  it  was 
intentionally  dealt  to  her ;  on  the  contrary,  you  will  find 
the  good  man,  when  you  are  better  acquainted  with  him, 
to  be  one  of  those  simple  persons  who  manage  so  unhap- 
pily what  they  mean  for  civilities,  that  those  to  whom 
they  are  addressed  receive  them  frequently  in  another 
sense." 

The  Countess  of  Pai'is,  however,  refused  again  to  sit 
down  to  the  table  from  which  she  had  risen,  so  that  Age- 
lastes  and  his  Imperial  guests  saw  themselves  under  the 
necessity  either  to  permit  the  strangers  to  depart,  which 
they  seemed  unwilling  to  do,  or  to  detain  them  by  force, 
to  attempt  which  might  not  perhaps  have  been  either 
safe  or  pleasant ;  or,  lastly,  to  have  waived  the  etiquette 
of  rank  and  set  out  along  with  them,  at  the  same  time 


264  WAVKIM.KY    NOVKLS. 

manajrin":  tlicir  difrnity,  .«o  as  to  take  the  initiatory  step, 
thougli  tlic  departure  took  place  upon  the  motion  of  their 
wilful  guests.  Much  tumult  there  was — bustling,  disput- 
ing, and  shouting — among  the  troops  and  officers  who 
were  thus  moved  from  their  repast,  two  hours  at  least 
sooner  than  had  been  experienced  upon  similar  occasions 
in  the  memory  of  the  oldest  among  them.  A  different 
arrangement  of  the  Imperial  party  likewise  seemed  to 
take  place  by  mutual  consent. 

Nicephorus  Brieiuiius  ascended  the  seat  upon  the  ele- 
phant, and  n-maiiicil  there  jdaced  beside  his  august 
mother-in-law.  Agclastes,  on  a  sober-minded  palfrey, 
which  permitted  him  to  [)rolong  his  philosophical  har- 
angues at  his  own  jileasure,  rode  beside  the  Countess  Bren- 
hilda,  whom  he  made  the  principal  object  of  his  oratory. 
The  fair  historian,  though  she  usually  travelled  in  a  litter, 
preferred  upon  this  occasion  a  si»irited  horse,  which  en- 
abled her  to  kee|)  i)ace  with  Count  Robert  of  Paris,  on 
whose  imagination,  if  not  his  feelings,  she  seemed  to  have 
it  in  view  to  work  a  marked  impression.  The  conversation 
of  the  Empress  with  her  son-in-law  re(piires  no  special 
detail.  It  was  a  tissue  of  criticisms  upon  the  manners 
and  behaviour  of  the  Franks,  and  a  hearty  wish  that  they 
might  be  soon  transported  from  the  realms  of  Greece, 
never  more  t<j  nliirn.  Such  was  at  least  the  tone  of  the 
P^mpress,  nor  did  the  C'a-sar  find  it  convenient  to  express 
any  more  tolerant  opinion  of  the  strangers.  On  the  other 
hand,  Agclastes  made  a  l<iiiLr  ciiriiit  ere  he  ventured  to 
approach  the  subject  wliicli  he  wished  to  intrcxhice.  lie 
spoke  of  the  menagerie  of  the  Emperor  as  a  most  superb 
collection  of  natural  history  ;  he  cxlolled  difi'erent  persons 
at  court  for  having  encouraged  Alexius  ("onnienus  in  this 
wise    and    [)liil(i~oplii(Ml    amusement.       l)Ul,    linally,    the 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  265 

praise  of  all  others  was  abandoned  that  the  philosopher 
might  dwell  upon  that  of  Nicephorus  Briennius,  to  whom 
the  cabinet  or  collection  of  Constantinople  was  indebted, 
he  said,  for  the  principal  treasures  it  contained. 

"  I  am  glad  it  is  so,"  said  the  haughty  Countess,  without 
lowering  her  voice  or  affecting  any  change  of  manner ; 
"  I  am  glad  that  he  understands  some  things  better  worth 
understanding  than  whispering  with  stranger  young 
women.  Credit  me,  if  he  gives  much  license  to  his 
tongue  among  such  women  of  my  country  as  these  stir- 
ring times  may  bring  hither,  some  one  or  other  of  them 
will  fling  him  into  the  cataract  which  dashes  below." 

"  Pardon  me,  fair  lady,"  said  Agelastes  ;  "  no  female 
heart  could  meditate  an  action  so  atrocious  against  so  fine 
a  form  as  that  of  the  Caesar  Nicephorus  Briennius." 

"  Put  it  not  on  that  issue,  father,"  said  the  offended 
Countess;  "for,  by  my  patroness  Saint,  Our  Lady  of  the 
Broken  Lances,  had  it  not  been  for  regard  to  these  two 
ladies,  who  seemed  to  intend  some  respect  to  my  husband 
and  myself,  that  same  Nicephorus  should  have  been  as 
perfectly  a  Lord  of  the  Broken  Bones  as  any  Ceesar  who 
has  borne  the  title  since  the  gi'eat  Julius  ! " 

The  philosopher,  upon  this  explicit  information,  began 
to  entertain  some  personal  fear  for  himself,  and  hastened, 
by  diverting  the  conversation,  which  he  did  with  great 
dexterity,  to  the  story  of  Hero  and  Leander,  to  put  the 
affront  received  out  of  the  head  of  this  unscrupulous 
Amazon. 

Meantime,  Count  Robert  of  Paris  was  engrossed,  as  it 
may  be  termed,  by  the  fair  Anna  Comnena.  She  spoke 
on  all  subjects,  on  some  better,  doubtless,  others  worse, 
but  on  none  did  she  suspect  herself  of  any  deficiency ; 
while  the  good  Count  wished  heartily  within  himself  that 


266  "WAV Kill, F.y    NOVKLS. 

his  companion  liad  been  j^iifcly  in  Ix-d  with  the  enchanted 
Princess  of  Ziilichiiini.  She  pcrtonncil,  rij^ht  or  wrong, 
the  part  of  a  panegyrist  of  the  Normans,  nntil  at  length 
the  Count,  tired  of  hearing  her  prate  of  she  knew  not 
exactly  what,  broke  in  as  follows  : — 

"  Lady,"  he  said,  "  notwithstanding  I  ami  inv  followers 
are  sonictinies  so  named,  yet  we  are  not  Normans,  who 
come  liillier  as  a  luiiiieroiis  and  separate  body  of  pilgrims, 
under  the  command  of  their  Duke  Robert,  a  valiant, 
though  extravagant,  thoughtless,  and  weak  man.  I  say 
nothing  against  the  fame  of  these  Normans.  They  con- 
quered, in  our  fathers'  days,  a  kingdom  far  stronger  than 
their  own,  w  hich  men  call  England  ;  I  see  that  yon  enter- 
tain some  of  the  natives  of  which  country  in  your  pay, 
under  the  name  of  Varangians.  Although  defeated,  as  I 
said,  liy  the  Normans,  they  are,  nevertheless,  a  brave 
race  ;  nor  would  we  think  ourselves  much  dishonoured  by 
mixing  in  battle  with  them.  Still  we  are  the  valiant 
Franks,  who  had  their  dwelling  on  the  eastern  banks  of 
the  Rhine  and  of  the  Saale,  who  were  converted  to  the 
Christian  tiiith  by  the  celebrated  Clovis,  and  are  sufheient, 
by  our  nuniljers  and  courage,  to  reconquer  the  Holy 
Land,  .-lioiiM  nil  Ktirope  besides  stand  neutral  in  the 
contest." 

There  are  few  things  more  painful  to  the  vanity  of  a 
person  like  the  Princess,  than  the  being  detected  in  an 
egregious  error,  at  the  moment  she  is  taking  credit  to 
herself  for  Ix'ing  peculiarly  ai'curately  informed. 

''A  tiilsi'  slave,  who  knew  not  what  he  was  saying,  I 
suppose,"  said  ihe  I'riiice^-,  *' inqMi-ed  M|)on  uie  the;  be- 
lief that  the  \'arangian-  were  the  natural  enemies  of  the 
Nf)rmans.  I  see  him  marching  there  by  the  side  of 
Achille- Tatius,  th<-  leader  of  his  corps. — Call  him  hither, 


COUNT    ROIiERT    OF    PARIS.  267 

you  officers  ! — Yonder  tall  man,  I  mean,  with  the  battle- 
axe  upon  his  shoulder." 

Hereward,  distinjiiiished  by  his  post  at  the  head  of  the 
squadron,  was  summoned  from  thence  to  the  presence  of 
the  Princess,  where  he  made  his  military  obeisance  with 
a  cast  of  sternness  in  his  aspect,  as  his  glance  lighted  upon 
the  proud  look  of  the  Frenchman  who  rode  beside  Anna 
Comnena. 

"  Did  I  not  understand  thee,  fellow,"  said  Anna  Com- 
nena, "  to  have  informed  me,  nearly  a  month  ago,  that 
the  Normans  and  the  Franks  were  the  same  people,  and 
enemies  to  the  race  from  which  you  spring  ?  " 

"  The  Normans  are  our  mortal  enemies.  Lady,"  an- 
swered Hereward,  "  by  whom  we  were  driven  from 
our  native  land.  The  Franks  are  subjects  of  the 
same  Lord-Paramount  with  the  Normans,  and  therefore 
they  neither  love  the  Varangians,  nor  are  beloved  by 
them." 

"  Good  fellow,"  said  the  French  Count,  "  you  do  the 
Franks  wrong,  and  ascribe  to  the  Vai-angians,  although 
not  unnaturally,  an  undue  degree  of  importance,  when 
you  suppose  that  a  race  which  has  ceased  to  exist  as 
an  independent  nation  for  more  than  a  generation,  can 
be  either  an  object  of  interest  or  resentment  to  such  as 
we  are." 

"  I  am  no  stranger,"  said  the  Varangian,  "  to  the  pride 
of  your  heart,  or  the  precedence  which  you  assume  over 
those  who  have  been  less  fortunate  in  war  than  your- 
selves. It  is  God  who  casteth  down  and  who  buildeth 
up,  nor  is  there  in  the  world  a  prospect  to  which  the 
Varangians  would  look  forward  with  more  pleasure  than 
that  a  hundred  of  their  number  should  meet  in  a  fair  field, 
either  with  the  oppressive  Normans,  or  their  modern  com- 


2G8  "WAVKIU.KY    NOVKLS. 

patriots,  the  vain  Frt'iiolimi'ii,  and  k't  God  be  tlio  judge 
which  is  most  worthy  of  victory." 

"  You  take  an  insolent  advantage  of  the  chance,"  said 
the  Count  of  Paris,  "  which  gives  you  an  unlooked-for 
opportunity  to  brave  a  nobleman." 

"  It  is  my  sorrow  and  shame,"  said  the  Varangian, 
"that  that  opjiortunity  is  not  complete;  and  that  there  is 
a  cliain  annnid  nie  which  fdrhid-;  me  to  say,  Slay  me,  or 
I'll  kill  thee  before  we  part  from  this  spot!" 

"Why,  thou  foolish  and  hot-brained  churl,"  replied  the 
Count,  "  what  right  hast  thou  to  the  honour  of  dying  by 
my  blade  ?  Thou  art  mad,  or  hast  drained  the  ale-cup 
so  deeply  that  thou  knowest  not  what  thou  thinkest  or 
sayest." 

"  Thou  liest,"  said  the  Varangian  ;  "  though  such  a 
reproach  be  the  utmost  scandal  of  thy  race." 

The  Frenchman  motioned  his  hand  (piicker  than  light 
to  his  sword,  but  instantly  withdrew  it,  and  said  with 
dignity,  "thou  cniist  not  offend  me." 

"But  thou,"  said  the  exile,  "hast  oflTended  me  in  a 
matter  which  can  only  be  atoned  by  thy  manhood." 

"  "Where  and  how  ?  "  answered  the  Count ;  "  although 
it  is  needless  to  a>k  the  que.-tioii,  which  thou  caii>t  not 
answer  rationally." 

"  Thou  hast  this  day,"  answered  the  Varangian,  "  put 
a  mortal  affront  upon  a  great  prince,  whom  thy  nuister 
calls  his  ally,  and  by  whom  thou  hast  been  received  with 
every  rite  of  luxpitality.  Him  thou  hast  affronted  as  one 
peasant  at  a  merry-making  woidd  do  >hame  to  another, 
and  till-  di-hoiiour  tliou  lia-t  done  to  him  in  the  very  face 
of  his  own  chief's  and  j)riii<'e>,  and  the  nobles  from  every 
court  of  Europe." 

"  It  wa-  thy  ma-iter's  part   fo  resent  my  conduct,"  said 


COUNT    R0I5KRT    OF    PARIS.  269 

the  Frencliman,  "  if  in  reality  lie  so  much  felt  it  as  an 
affront." 

"  But  that,"  said  Ilereward,  "  d\A  not  consist  with  the 
manners  of  his  country  to  do.  Besides  that,  we  trusty 
Varangians  esteem  ourselves  bound  by  our  oath  as  much 
to  defend  our  Emperor,  while  the  service  lasts,  on  every 
inch  of  his  honour  as  on  every  foot  of  his  territory  ;  I 
therefore  tell  thee,  Sir  Knight,  Sir  Count,  or  whatever 
thou  callest  thyself,  there  is  mortal  quarrel  between  thee 
and  the  Varangian  guard,  ever  and  until  thou  hast  fought 
it  out  in  fair  and  manly  battle,  body  to  body,  with  one 
of  the  said  Imperial  Varangians,  when  duty  and  oppor- 
tunity shall  permit: — and  so  God  schaw  the  right !  " 

As  this  passed  in  the  French  language,  the  meaning 
escaped  the  understanding  of  such  Imperialists  as  were 
within  hearing  at  the  time  ;  and  the  Princess,  who  waited 
with  some  astonishment  till  the  Crusader  and  the  Varan- 
gian had  finished  their  conference,  when  it  was  over,  said 
to  him  with  interest,  "  I  trust  you  feel  that  poor  man's 
situation  to  be  too  much  at  a  distance  from  your  own,  to 
admit  of  your  meeting  him  in  what  is  termed  knightly 
battle  ?  " 

"  On  such  a  question,"  said  the  knight,  "  I  have  but 
one  answer  to  any  lady  who  does  not,  like  my  Brenhilda, 
cover  herself  with  a  shield,  and  bear  a  sword  by  her  side, 
and  the  heart  of  a  knight  in  her  bosom." 

"  And  suppose  for  once,"  said  the  Princess  Anna  Cora- 
nena,  "  that  I  possessed  such  titles  to  your  confidence, 
what  would  your  answer  be  to  me  ?  " 

"  There  can  be  little  reason  for  concealing  it,"  said  the 
Count.  "  The  Varangian  is  a  brave  man,  and  a  strong 
one  ;  it  is  contrary  to  my  vow  to  shun  his  challenge,  and 
perhaps  I  shall  derogate  from  my  rank  by  accepting  it ; 


270  WAV  Kill, KV    NOVKLS. 

but  the  worhl  i>  w'ulc,  and  lie  is  }-ct  to  be  born  wlio  has 
seen  Robert  of  Paris  shun  the  face  of  mortal  man.  By 
means  of  some  gaUant  offieer  among  the  Emperor's 
guards,  this  poor  fellow,  who  nourishes  so  strange  an 
ambition,  shall  learn  tliat  he  sliall  iiave  his  wish  gi'ati- 
fied." 

"  And  then  ?  " said  Anna  Comnena. 

"  Why,  then,"  said  the  Count,  "  in  tlie  poor  man's  own 
language,  God  schaw  the  right !  " 

"Which  is  to  say,"  said  the  Princess,  "that  if  my 
father  has  an  officer  of  his  guards  honourable  enough 
to  forward  so  pious  and  reasonable  a  purjjose,  the  Em- 
peror must  lose  an  ally,  in  whose  faith  he  puts  confi- 
dence, or  a  most  trusty  and  faithful  scjldier  of  his  per- 
sonal guard,  who  has  distinguished  himself  upon  many 
occasions?  " 

"I  am  happy  to  hear,"  saiil  the  Count,  "  that  the  man 
bears  such  a  character.  In  truth,  his  ambition  ought  to 
have  some  foundation.  The  more  I  think  of  it,  the 
rath<-r  am  I  of  opinion  that  there  is  something  generous, 
rather  than  derogatory,  in  giving  to  the  poor  exile,  whose 
thoughts  are  so  liigh  and  noble,  those  privileges  of  a  man 
of  rank,  which  some  who  were  born  in  such  lofty  station 
are  too  cowardly  to  avail  tliemselves  of.  Yet  despond 
not,  noble  I'rincess ;  the  challenge  is  not  yet  accepted  of, 
and  if  it  was,  the  issue  is  in  the  hand  of  God.  As  for 
me,  wliosc  tiaili'  is  war,  the  sense  that  I  have  something 
so  serious  to  transact  with  this  resolute  man,  will  keep  mc 
from  other  less  honourable  quarrels,  in  which  a  lack  of 
occupation  might  be  a{)t  to  involve  me." 

The  Princess  made  no  farther  observation,  being 
resolved,  by  private  remonstrance  to  Achilles  Tatius,  to 
engage  liim  to  prevent  a  meeting  which  might  be  fatal  to 


COUNT  KOBERT  OF  TARIS.  271 

the  one  or  llie  other  of  two  brave  men.  The  town  now 
darkened  before  them,  sparkling,  at  the  same  time, 
through  its  obscurity,  by  the  many  hghts  which  illumi- 
nated the  houses  of  the  citizens.  The  royal  cavalcade 
held  their  way  to  the  Golden  Gate,  where  the  trusty  cen- 
turion put  his  guard  under  arms  to  receive  them. 

''  We  must  now  break  off",  fair  ladies,"  said  the  Count, 
as  the  party  having  now  dismounted,  were  standing 
together  at  the  private  gate  of  the  Blacquernal  Palace, 
"  and  find  as  we  can,  the  lodgings  which  we  occupied  last 
night." 

"  Under  your  favour,  no,"  said  the  Empress.  "  You 
must  be  content  to  take  your  supper  and  repose  in  quar- 
ters more  fitting  your  rank  ;  and,"  added  Irene,  "  with  no 
worse  quartermaster  than  one  of  the  Imperial  family 
who  has  been  your  travelling  companion." 

This  the  Count  heard,  with  considerable  inclination  to 
accept  the  hospitality  which  was  so  readily  offered. 
Although  as  devoted  as  a  man  could  well  be  to  the 
charms  of  his  Brenhilda,  the  very  idea  never  having 
entered  his  head  of  preferring  another's  beauty  to  hers, 
yet,  nevertheless,  he  had  naturally  felt  himself  flattered 
by  the  attentions  of  a  woman  of  eminent  beauty  and 
very  high  rank ;  and  the  praises  with  which  the  Princess 
had  loaded  him  had  not  entirely  fallen  to  the  ground. 
He  was  no  longer  in  the  humour  in  which  the  morning 
had  found  him,  disposed  to  outrage  the  feelings  of  the 
Emperor,  and  to  insult  his  dignity ;  but,  flattered  by  the 
adroit  sycophancy  which  the  old  philosopher  had  learned 
from  the  schools,  and  the  beautiful  Princess  had  been 
gifted  with  by  nature,  he  assented  to  the  Empress's  pro- 
posal ;  the  more  readily,  perhaps,  that  the  darkness  did 
not  permit  him   to  see  that  there  was  distinctly  a  shade 


Z<2  MAVl.Kl.KV    NOVKI.S. 

of"  (lis|ik';isurc  on  the  lifuw  of  Uiciiliilila.  A\  liatcscr  llio 
cause,  sIk;  can-il  not  to  express  it,  and  llic  niarriiil  pair 
had  just  entered  that  hibyrintli  of  passages  tlirough  wiii<li 
Ilereward  had  formerly  wandered,  when  a  ehandx-rlain 
and  a  I'fnialc  attendant,  ricldy  (h"e>sed,  l)eiit  the  i<nee 
before  them,  and  offered  tiiem  the  niean>  and  phice  to 
adjust  their  attire,  ere  they  entered  the  Imperial  presence. 
Bieidiilda  looked  upon  her  ap|)arel  and  arms,  spotted 
with  the  blood  of  the  insolent  Seythian,  and,  Amazon  as 
she  was,  felt  tlie  shame  of  being  carelessly  and  improperly 
dressed.  The  arm>  of  the  knight  were  al>()  bloody,  and 
in  disarrangement. 

"Tell  my  female  squire,  Agatha,  to  give  her  allend- 
ance,"  said  the  C'onnte>s.  "She  alone  is  in  the  habit  of 
assisting  to  unarm  and  to  attire  me." 

"Now,  God  be  praised,"  thought  the  (liecian  lady  of 
the  bed-chamber,  "  that  I  am  not  called  to  a  toilet  where 
smiths'  hammers  and  tongs  are  like  to  be  the  instruments 
most  in  request !  " 

"  Tell  IMarcian,  my  armourer,"  said  the  Count.  "  to 
attend  with  the  silver  and  blue  suit  of  plate  ami  mail 
whieh  I  won  in  a  wager  from  the  Count  of  Thonlouse."  * 

"  ^Nliglit  I  not  have  the  hctnoiir  of  adjusting  your  ar- 
mour," said  a  splendidiv  dre-t  coinlier.  with  some  marks 
of  the  armourei's  profession,  "since  I  have  put  on  thai  of 
the  Emperor  himself? — may  his  name  be  sacred  !" 

"And  how  many  ii\et<  lia~t  tlmii  clenehed  upon  the 
occasion  with  thi-  haml,"  .-aid  iht^  Count,  catching  hold  of 

*  KayinniKi,  Count  of  Thonlouse  and  St.  Giles,  Duke  of  ('iirbonne, 
and  Miircjuis  of  rrovcnce,  an  iiged  wiirrior  who  luid  won  hijfli  <li>tinc- 
tion  in  tlic  contests  against  tlic  SaraceiK  in  Sj)uiii,  was  tlif  <'hief  leader 
of  the  Ousaders  from  the  South  of  France.  His  title  of  St.  tiiles  is 
corrupted  l)y  Anna  Comnena  into  SanyUs,  by  which  numo  she  con- 
stantly mentions  him  in  the  Alexind. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  273 

it,  "  which  looks  as  if  it  had  never  been  washed,  save  witli 
milk  of  roses, — and  with  this  childish  toy  ?  "  pointing  to  a 
hammer  with  ivory  haft  and  silver  head,  which,  stuck  into 
a  milk-white  kidskin  apron,  the  official  wore  as  badges 
of  his  duty.  The  armourer  fell  back  in  some  confusion. 
"His  grasp,"  he  said  to  another  domestic,  "is  like  the 
seizure  of  a  vice  !  " 

While  this  little  scene  passed  apart,  the  Empress  Irene, 
her  daughter,  and  her  son-in-law,  left  the  company,  under 
pretence  of  making  a  necessary  change  in  their  apparel. 
Immediately  after,  Agelastes  was  required  to  attend  the 
Emperor,  and  the  strangers  were  conducted  to  two  adja- 
cent chambers  of  retirement,  splendidly  fitted  up,  and 
placed  for  the  present  at  their  disposal,  and  that  of  their 
attendants.  There  we  shall  for  a  time  leave  them,  assum- 
ing, with  the  assistance  of  their  own  attendants,  a  dress 
which  their  ideas  regarded  as  most  fit  for  a  great  occa- 
sion ;  those  of  the  Grecian  court  wiUingly  keeping  apart 
from  a  task  w-hich  they  held  nearly  as  formidable  as 
assisting  at  the  lair  of  a  royal  tiger  or  his  bride. 

Agelastes  found  the  Emperor  sedulously  arranging  his 
most  splendid  court-dress ;  for,  as  in  the  court  of  Pekin, 
the  change  of  ceremonial  attire  was  a  great  part  of  the 
ritual  observed  at  Constantinople. 

"  Thou  hast  done  well,  wise  Agelastes,"  said  Alexius  to 
the  philosopher,  as  he  approached  with  abundance  of  pros- 
trations and  genuflections — "  Thou  hast  done  well,  and  we 
are  content  with  thee.  Less  than  thy  wit  and  address 
must  have  failed  in  separating  from  their  companythis 
tameless  bull,  and  unyoked  heifer,  over  whom,  if  we  ob- 
tain influence,  we  shall  command,  by  every  account,  no 
small  interest  among  those  who  esteem  them  the  bravest 
in  the  host." 

VOL.  XLVIl.  18 


274  WAVF.HLKT    NOVKLS. 

"  My  liumltle  un(lprstanfliii>»,"  said  Agolastos,  "  liad 
been  infinitely  inferior  to  tlie  manafrement  of  so  prudent 
and  sa<Tacions  a  scheme,  liad  it  not  been  sliaped  fortb  and 
suggested  by  the  inimitable  wisdom  of  your  most  sacred 
Imperial  Highness." 

"We  are  awar<»."  said  Alexius,  "that  we  had  the  merit 
of  blocking  forth  the  scheme  of  detaining  these  persons, 
either  bv  their  choice  as  allies,  or  by  main  force  as  hos- 
tages. Their  friends,  ere  yet  they  have  missed  them,  will 
be  engaged  in  war  with  the  Turks,  and  at  no  liberty,  if 
the  devil  should  suggest  such  an  undertaking,  to  take 
arms  against  the  sacred  empire.  Thu-s  Agelastes,  we 
shall  obtain  hostages  at  least  as  important  and  as  valuable 
as  that  Count  of  Vermandois,  whose  liberty  the  tremen- 
dous Godfrey  of  Bouillon  extorted  from  us  by  threats  of 
instant  war." 

"  Pardon,"  said  Agelastes,  "  if  T  add  another  reason  to 
those  which  of  themselves  so  happily  support  your  august 
resolution.  It  is  j)ossililc  that  we  may,  by  ol^erving  the 
greatest  caution  and  courtesy  towards  these  strangers,  win 
them  in  good  earnest  to  our  side." 

"  I  conceive  you,  I  conceive  you  " — said  the  Emperor ; 
"  and  this  very  night  I  will  exhibit  myself  to  this  Count 
and  his  lady  in  the  royal  presence-chamber,  in  the  richest 
robes  which  our  wardrobe  can  furnish.  The  lions  of 
Solomon  shall  roar,  the  golden  tree  of  Comnenus  shall 
display  its  wonders,  and  the  feeble  eyes  of  these  Franks 
shall  be  altogether  dazzled  by  the  sj)lendour  of  the  empire. 
These  spectacles  cannot  but  sink  into  their  mind-,  and 
dispose  them  to  become  the  allies  and  servants  of  a  na- 
tion so  much  more  powerful,  skilful,  .ind  wealthy  than 
their  own  —  Thou  hast  something  to  say,  Agt'laytes. 
Years  and  long  .-tudy  have  made  tiice  wise;  though  we 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  275 

have  given  our  opinion,  thou  mayst  speak  thine  own,  and 
live." 

Thrice  three  times  did  Agelastes  press  his  bi'ow  against 
the  hem  of  the  Emperor's  garment,  and  great  seemed  his 
anxiety  to  find  such  words  as  might  intimate  his  dissent 
from  his  sovereign,  yet  save  him  from  the  informahty  of 
contradicting  him  expressly. 

"These  sacred  words  in  which  your  sacred  Highness 
has  uttered  your  most  just  and  accurate  opinions,  are  un- 
deniable, and  incapable  of  contradiction,  were  any  vain 
enough  to  attempt  to  impugn  them.  Nevertheless,  be  it 
lawful  to  say,  that  men  show  the  wisest  arguments  in  vain 
to  those  who  do  not  understand  reason,  just  as  you  would 
in  vain  exhibit  a  curious  piece  of  limning  to  the  blind,  or 
endeavour  to  bribe,  as  scripture  saith,  a  sow  by  the  offer 
of  a  precious  stone.  The  fault  is  not,  in  such  case,  in  the 
accuracy  of  your  sacred  reasoning,  but  in  the  obtuseness 
and  perverseness  of  the  barbarians  to  whom  it  is  applied." 

"  Speak  more  plainly,"  said  the  Emperor  ;  "  how  often 
must  we  tell  thee,  that  in  cases  in  which  we  really  want 
counsel,  we  know  we  must  be  contented  to  sacrifice 
ceremony  ?  " 

"  Then  in  plain  words,"  said  Agelastes,  "  these  Euro- 
pean barbarians  are  like  no  others  under  the  cope  of  the 
universe,  either  on  the  things  on  which  they  look  with 
desire,  or  on  those  which  they  consider  as  discouraging. 
The  treasures  of  this  noble  empire,  so  far  as  they  affected 
their  wishes,  would  merely  inspire  them  with  the  desire 
to  go  to  war  with  a  nation  possessed  of  so  much  wealth, 
and  who,  in  their  self-conceited  estimation,  were  less  able 
to  defend,  than  they  themselves  are  powerful  to  assail. 
Of  such  a  description,  for  instance,  is  Bohemond  of  Ta- 
rentum, — and  such  a  one  is  many  a  ci'usader  less  able 


276  WAVI.HLKV    NOVF.I.S. 

anil  sagacious  tliaii  lit- ; — for  I  think  I  iicc(l  not  tdl  your 
Imperial  Divinity,  tluit  he  holds  his  own  >ell-interest  to 
be  the  devoted  guide  of  his  whole  conduct  tin-ough  this 
extraordinary  war;  and  tliat,  therefore,  you  can  justly 
calciilatf  liis  course,  wh.n  once  you  ai-(!  aware  from 
Avhich  point  of  the  compass  the  wind  of  avarice  and  self- 
interest  breathes  with  respect  to  him.  15ut  there  are 
spirits  among  the  Franks  of  a  very  different  nature,  and 
^Yho  must  be  acted  upon  by  very  different  motives,  if  we 
would  make  ourselves  masters  of  their  actions,  and  the 
principles  by  which  they  are  governed.  If  it  were  lawful 
to  do  so,  I  would  request  your  ]\Iajesty  to  look  at  the 
manner  by  which  an  artful  juggler  of  your  court  achieves 
his  imposition  upon  the  eyes  of  spectators,  yet  heedfully 
disguises  the  means  by  which  In;  attains  his  object.  This 
peoide — I  mean  the  more  lofty-minded  of  these  crusaders, 
who  act  up  to  the  pretences  of  the  doctrine  which  they 
call  chivalry — despise  the  thirst  of  gold,  and  gold  it>elf, 
unless  to  liiii  tlicir  swords,  or  to  furnish  forth  some  neces- 
sary expen-es,  as  alike  useless  and  contemptible.  The 
man  who  can  be  moved  by  the  thirst  of  gain,  they  con- 
temn, scorn,  and  despise,  and  liken  him,  in  the  meanness 
of  his  objects,  to  the  most  paltry  serf  tliat  ever  followed 
the  plough,  or  wielded  the  s[»ade.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
it  happens  that  they  actually  need  gold,  they  are  suffi- 
ciently  unceremonious  in  taking  it  where  they  can  most 
easily  find  it.  Thus,  tlx-y  are  neillier  easily  to  be  bribed 
by  giving  ihrm  ,-uins  of  gold,  nor  to  be  starved  into  com- 
jdiance  ])y  witlihoMing  what  chance  may  render  necessary 
for  them.  In  the  one  case,  they  set  no  value  upon  the 
gift  of  a  little  paltry  yellow  dross  ;  in  the  other,  they  ai'e 
accustome«l  to  take  what  they  want." 

"  Yellow  dross  !"   internii)ted  Alexius.      "  Do  they  call 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  277 

that  noble  metal,  equally  respected  by  Roman  and  bar- 
barian, by  rich  and  poor,  by  great  and  mean,  by  church- 
men and  laymen,  which  all  mankind  are  fighting  for, 
plotting  for,  planning  for,  intriguing  for,  and  damning 
themselves  for,  both  soul  and  body — by  the  opprobrious 
name  of  yellow  dross  ?  They  are  mad,  Agelastes,  utterly 
mad.  Perils  and  dangers,  penalties  and  scourges,  are 
the  only  arguments  to  which  men  who  are  above  the  uni- 
versal influence  which  moves  all  others,  can  possibly  be 
accessible." 

"  Nor  are  they,"  said  Agelastes,  "  more  accessible  to 
fear  than  they  are  to  self-interest.  They  are,  indeed, 
from  their  boyhood,  brought  up  to  scorn  those  passions 
which  influence  ordinary  minds,  whether  by  means  of 
avarice  to  impel,  or  of  fear  to  hold  back.  So  much  is 
this  the  case,  that  what  is  enticing  to  other  men,  must,  to 
interest  them,  have  the  piquant  sauce  of  extreme  danger. 
I  told,  for  instance,  to  this  very  hero,  a  legend  of  a  Prin- 
cess of  Zulichium,  who  lay  on  an  enchanted  couch,  beau- 
tiful as  an  angel,  awaiting  the  chosen  knight  who  should, 
by  dispelling  her  enchanted  slumbers,  become  master  of 
her  person,  of  her  kingdom  of  Zulichium,  and  of  her 
countless  treasures  ;  and  would  your  Imperial  Majesty 
believe  me,  I  could  scarce  get  the  gallant  to  attend  to  my 
legend  or  take  any  interest  in  the  adventure,  till  I  assured 
him  he  would  have  to  encounter  a  winged  dragon,  com- 
pared to  which  the  largest  of  those  in  the  Frank  romances 
was  but  like  a  mere  dragon-fly  ?  " 

"And  did  this  move  the  gallant  ?  "  said  the  Emperor. 

"  So  much  so,"  replied  the  philosopher,  "  that  had  1 
not  unfortunately,  by  the  earnestness  of  my  description, 
awakened  the  jealousy  of  his  Penthesilea  of  a  Countess, 
he  had  forgotten  the    crusade   and   all  belonging  to   it. 


278  "WAVF.RI.F.Y    NOVKLS. 

to  gfo  in  quest  of  Zulicliiiiin  and  its  slnnilx'riiin;  sover- 
eign." 

"  Nay,  then,"  said  the  Emperor,  ''  we  have  in  our  em- 
pire (make  us  sensible  of  the  advantage !)  innumerable 
tale-tellers  who  are  not  possessed  in  the  slightest  degree 
of  that  noble  scorn  of  gold  which  is  proper  to  the  Franks, 
but  shall,  for  a  brace  of  besants,  lie  with  the  devil,  and 
beat  him  to  boot,  if  in  that  manner  we  can  gain,  as  mari- 
ners say,  the  weathergage  of  the  Franks." 

"  Discretion,"  said  Agelastes,  ''  is  in  the  highest  degree 
necessary.  Simply  to  lie  is  no  very  great  matter;  it  is 
merely  a  departure  from  the  truth,  which  is  little  differ- 
ent from  missing  a  mark  at  archeiy,  where  the  whole 
horizon,  one  point  alone  excepted,  will  alike  serve  the 
shooter's  purpose ;  but  to  move  the  Frank  as  is  desired, 
requires  a  perfect  knowledge  of  his  temper  and  disposi- 
tion, great  caution  and  presence  of  mind,  and  the  most 
versatile  readiness  in  changing  from  one  subject  to  an- 
other. Had  I  not  myself  been  somewhat  alert,  I  might 
have  paid  the  penalty  of  a  false  step  in  your  ^lajcsty's 
service,  by  being  flung  into  my  own  cascade  by  the  virago 
whom  I  offended." 

'•A  perfect  Thalestris ! "  said  the  Emperor ;  "  I  shall 
take  care  what  offence  I  give  her." 

"If  I  might  speak  and  live,"  said  Agelastes,  "the 
Caesar  Nicnphonir;  liriciiniiH  had  best  adopt  the  same 
precaution." 

"  Nicephorus,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  must  settle  that 
with  our  daughter.  I  have  ever  told  ln-r  that  she  gives 
him  loo  much  of  that  history,  of  wliiili  a  page  or  two 
is  sufficiently  refreshing;  but  l»y  our  own  self  we  must 
swear  it.  Agelastes,  that,  ni-'lit  after  ni^ht,  heariu';  nothing 
else,  would  subdue  the  patience  of  a  saint ! — Forget,  good 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  279 

Agelastes,  that  thou  hast  heard  me  say  such  a  thing — 
more  especially,  remember  it  not  when  thou  art  in  pres- 
ence of  our  Imperial  wife  and  daughter." 

"  Nor  were  the  freedoms  taken  by  the  Ca;sar  beyond 
the  bounds  of  an  innocent  gallantry,"  said  Agelastes ; 
"  but  the  Countess,  I  must  needs  say,  is  dangerous.  She 
killed  this  day  the  Scythian  Toxartis,  by  what  seemed  a 
mere  fillip  on  the  head." 

"  Hah  !  "  said  the  Emperor ;  "  I  knew  that  Toxartis, 
and  he  was  like  enough  to  deserve  his  death,  being  a  bold 
unscrupulous  marauder.  Take  notes,  however,  how  it 
happened,  the  names  of  witnesses,  &c.,  that,  if  necessary, 
we  may  exhibit  the  fact  as  a  deed  of  aggression  on  the 
part  of  the  Count  and  Countess  of  Paris,  to  the  assembly 
of  the  crusaders." 

"  I  trust,"  said  Agelastes,  "  your  Imperial  Majesty  will 
not  easily  resign  the  golden  opportunity  of  gaining  to  your 
standard  persons  whose  character  stands  so  very  high  in 
chivalry.  It  would  cost  you  but  little  to  bestow  upon 
them  a  Grecian  island,  worth  a  hundred  of  their  own 
paltry  lordship  of  Paris ;  and  if  it  were  given  under 
the  condition  of  their  expelling  the  infidels  or  the  disaf- 
fected who  may  have  obtained  the  temporary  possession, 
it  would  be  so  much  the  more  likely  to  be  an  acceptable 
offer.  I  need  not  say  that  the  whole  knowledge,  wisdom, 
and  skill  of  the  poor  Agelastes  is  at  your  Imperial  Maj- 
esty's disposal." 

The  Emperor  paused  for  a  moment,  and  then  said,  as 
if  on  full  consideration,  "  Worthy  Agelastes,  I  dare  trust 
thee  in  this  difficult  and  somewhat  dangerous  matter; 
but  I  will  keep  my  purpose  of  exhibiting  to  them  the 
lions  of  Solomon,  and  the  golden  tree  of  our  Imperial 
house." 


280  ■\vAvi:i;i,i:v  novkls. 

"To  lli.it  till  re  can  be  no  objection,"  returned  the 
philo,<oiiliii- ;  "only  remember  (o  exhibit  few  f^nai'ds,  ibr 
these  Franks  are  hke  a  Hery  horse;  \vlien  in  temper  lie 
may  be  ridden  with  a  silk  thread,  but  wlien  lie  has  taken 
umbrage  or  suspicion,  as  they  would  Hkely  do  if  they 
saw  many  armiMl  men,  a  steel  bridle  would  not  restrain 
liim." 

'*  I  will  lie  cautious,"  said  the  Emperor,  "  in  lliat  par- 
ticular, as  well  as  others. — Sound  the  silver  bell,  Age- 
lastes,  that  the  oihcers  of  our  wardrobe  may  attend." 

"One  single  word,  while  your  Highness  is  alone,"  said 
Agelastes.  "  Will  your  Imperial  Majesty  transfer  to  me 
the  direction  of  your  menagerie,  or  collection  of  extraor- 
dinary creatures  ?" 

"You  make  me  wonder,"  said  the  Emperor,  taking  a 
signet,  bearing  upon  it  a  lion,  with  the  legend  Vicit  JjCO 
ex  (rihn  JikIcp.  "This,"  he  said,  "  will  give  thee  the  com- 
mand of  our  dens.  And  now,  be  candid  for  once  with 
thy  master — for  deception  is  thy  nature  even  with  me — 
By  what  eharni  wilt  thou  subdue  these  untanied  sav- 
ages ?  " 

"  By  the  power  of  falsehood,"  replied  Agelastes,  with 
deep  i-everence. 

••  I  believe  thee  an  adejit  in  il."  >aid  the  I'>Mi|)eror. 
"And  to  which  of  their  foibles  wilt  thou  address  it  ?  " 

"To  their  love  of  fame,"  said  the  philosopher;  and 
retreated  backwards  out  of  the  royal  apartment,  as  the 
officers  of  the  wardnjbe  entered  to  <'oinplile  the  invest- 
ment of  the  Emperor  in  his  Imperial  habiliments. 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  281 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

I  will  converse  with  iron-witted  fools 
And  unrespective  boys ;  none  are  for  me, 
That  look  into  nie  with  considerate  eyes; — 
High-reaching  Buckingham  grows  circumspect. 

Richard  III. 

As  they  parted  from  each  other,  the  Emperor  and 
philosopher  had  each  their  own  anxious  thoughts  on  the 
interview  wliich  had  passed  between  them ;  thoughts 
which  they  expressed  in  broken  sentences  and  ejacula- 
tions, though  for  the  better  understanding  of  the  degree 
of  estimation  in  which  they  held  each  other,  we  will  give 
them  a  more  reo;ular  and  intelligible  form. 

"  Thus,  then,"  half  muttered  half  said  Alexius,  but  so 
low  as  to  hide  his  meaning  from  the  officers  of  the  ward- 
robe, who  entered  to  do  their  office, — "  thus,  then,  this 
bookworm — this  remnant  of  old  heathen  philosophy,  who 
hardly  believes,  so  God  save  me,  the  truth  of  the  Chris- 
tian creed,  has  topp'd  his  part  so  well  that  he  forces  his 
Emperor  to  dissemble  in  his  presence.  Beginning  by 
being  the  buffoon  of  the  court,  he  has  wormed  himself 
into  all  its  secrets,  made  himself  master  of  all  its  intrigues, 
conspired  with  my  own  son-in-law^  against  me,  debauched 
my  guards, — indeed  so  woven  his  web  of  deceit,  that  my 
life  is  safe  no  longer  than  he  believes  me  the  imperial 
dolt  which  I  have  affected  to  seem,  in  order  to  deceive 


282  WAVKULKY    NOVKLS. 

him  ;  fortunate  (Iiat  even  so  I  can  escape  his  cautionary 
anticipation  of  my  disj)leasure,  by  avoiding  to  precipitate 
his  measures  of  violence.  But  were  this  sudilcn  storm 
of  the  crusade  fairly  passed  over,  the  ungrateful  Ciesar, 
the  boastful  coward  Achilles  Tatius.  and  the  bosom  ser- 
pent Ag(dastes,  shall  know  wliclher  Alexius  Comnenus 
has  been  born  their  dupe.  AVheii  Greek  meets  Greek, 
comes  tlie  strife  of  subtlety,  as  well  as  tlie  tug  of  war." 
Thus  saying,  he  resigned  himself  to  tiie  ollicers  of  his 
w'ardrube,  who  j)roceeded  to  ornament  him  as  the  solem- 
nity required. 

"  I  trust  him  not,"  said  Agelastes,  the  meaning  of 
whose  gestures  and  exclamations,  we,  in  like  manner, 
render  into  a  connected  meaning.  "  I  cannot,  and  do  not 
trust  him — he  somewhat  ovei'acts  his  part.  lie  has 
borne  himself  upon  other  occasions  with  the  shrewS  wit 
of  his  family  the  Comneni  ;  yet  he  now  trusts  to  the 
effect  of  liis  trumpery  lions  upon  such  a  shrewd  people 
as  the  Flanks  and  Normans,  and  seems  to  rely  upon  me 
for  the  character  of  men  with  wliom  he  has  been  engaged 
in  peace  and  war  for  many  years.  This  can  be  but  to 
gain  my  confidence  ;  for  there  were  imperfect  looks,  and 
broken  sentences,  which  seemed  to  say,  '  Agelastes,  the 
Ein|)eror  knows  thee,  and  confides  not  in  thee.'  Yet  the 
])l(jt  is  successful  and  undiscovered,  as  far  as  can  be 
judged ;  and  were  I  to  attempt  to  recede  now,  I  were 
lost  for  ever.  A  little  time  to  carry  on  this  intrigue  with 
the  Frank,  when  p()ssil)ly,  by  the  assistance  of  this  g.il- 
lant,  Alexius  shall  exchange  the  crown  for  a  ci<)i-t<M-,  or  a 
still  narrower  abode ;  and  then,  Agehistes,  thou  deservest 
to  be  blotted  from  the  roll  of  philosophers,  if  thou  canst 
not  push  out  of  the  tiirone  the  coneeile(l  and  luxurious 
Ca-sar,  and  reign  in  his  stead,  a  second  Miiicu-  Antoni- 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  283 

nus,  when  the  wisdom  of  thy  rule,  long  unfelt  in  a  world 
which  has  been  guided  by  tyrants  and  voluptuaries,  shall 
soon  obliterate  recollection  of  the  manner  in  which  thy 
power  was  acquired.  To  work  then — be  active,  and  be 
cautious.  The  time  requires  it,  and  the  prize  deserves 
it." 

While  these  thoughts  passed  through  his  mind,  he  ar- 
rayed himself,  by  the  assistance  of  Diogenes,  in  a  clean 
suit  of  that  simple  apparel  in  which  he  always  frequented 
the  court ;  a  garb  as  unlike  that  of  a  candidate  for  roy- 
alty, as  it  was  a  contrast  to  the  magnificent  robes  with 
which  Alexius  was  now  investing  himself 

In  their  separate  apartments,  or  dressing-rooms,  the 
Count  of  Paris  and  his  lady  put  on  the  best  apparel 
which  they  had  prepared  to  meet  such  a  chance  upon 
their  journey.  Even  in  France,  Robert  was  seldom  seen 
in  the  peaceful  cap  and  sweeping  mantle,  whose  high 
plumes  and  flowing  folds  were  the  garb  of  knights  in 
times  of  peace.  He  was  now  arrayed  in  a  splendid  suit 
of  armour,  all  except  the  head,  which  was  bare  otherwise 
than  as  covered  by  his  curled  locks.  The  rest  of  his 
person  was  sheathed  in  the  complete  mail  of  the  time, 
richly  inlaid  with  silver,  which  contrasted  with  the  azure 
in  which  the  steel  was  damasked.  His  spurs  were  upon 
his  heels — his  sword  was  by  his  side,  and  his  triangular 
shield  was  suspended  round  his  neck,  bearing,  painted 
upon  it,  a  number  o{  Jleurs-de-lis  semees,  as  it  is  called, 
upon  the  field,  being  the  origin  of  those  lily  flowers  which 
after  times  reduced  to  tliree  only ;  and  which  were  the 
terror  of  Europe,  until  they  suffered  so  many  reverses  in 
our  own  time. 

The  extreme  height  of  Count  Robert's  person  adapted 
him  for  a  garb,  which  had  a  tendency  to  make  persons  of 


284  WAVKKI.EY    XOVKLS. 

a  lower  stature  appear  ratlier  dwarfish  and  tliiek  when 
arrayed  cap-d-pie.  The  features,  with  their  self-collected 
composure,  and  noble  contempt  of  whatever  could  have 
a-tounded  or  shaken  an  ordinary  mind,  formed  a  well- 
fitted  capital  to  the  excellently  proportioned  and  vij,'orous 
frame  which  they  terminated.  Tiie  Countess  w:is  in 
more  peaceful  attire  ;  but  her  robes  were  short  and  suc- 
cinct, like  those  of  one  who  might  be  called  to  hiusty  exer- 
cise. Tiie  upi)er  part  of  her  dress  consisted  of  more 
than  one  tunic,  silting  close  to  the  body,  while  a  skirt, 
descending  from  the  girdle,  and  reaching  to  the  ankles, 
embroidered  elegantly  but  richly,  comj^leted  an  attire 
which  a  lady  might  have  worn  in  much  more  modern 
times.  Her  tresses  were  covered  with  a  light  steel  head- 
piece, though  some  of  them,  escaping,  played  round  her 
face,  and  gave  relief  to  those  handsome  features  which 
might  otherwise  have  seemed  too  formal,  if  closed  entirely 
within  the  verge  of  steel.  Over  these  under-garments 
wa<  tiling  a  rich  velvet  cloak  of  a  deep  green  colour,  de- 
scending from  the  head,  where  a  species  of  hood  was 
loosely  adjusted  over  the  helmet,  deeply  laced  ujjon  its 
verges  and  seams,  and  so  long  as  to  sweep  the  ground 
behind.  A  dagger  of  rich  materials  ornamented  a  girdle 
of  curious  gold>mitirs  work,  and  was  the  only  offensive 
weapon  whicli,  notwithstanding  her  military  occupation, 
she  bore  up(jn  this  occasion. 

The  toilet — as  modern  times  would  say — of  the  Coun- 
tess, was  not  nearly  so  soon  ended  as  that  of  Count  Rob- 
ert, who  occupied  his  time,  as  husbands  of  every  period 
are  apt  to  do,  in  little  sub-acid  complaints  between  jest 
and  earnest,  upon  the  dilatory  nature  of  la<lies,  and  the 
time  which  they  lose  in  dolling  and  donning  their  gar- 
ments.     IJiit  when  the  Countcv-   Hirnhilda  came  forth  in 


COUNT    ROBERT    OF    PARIS.  285 

the  pride  of  lovcliiie.s8,  from  the  inner  ehamber  where  she 
had  attired  lierself,  her  husband,  who  was  still  her  lover, 
clasped  her  to  his  breast,  and  expressed  his  privilege  by 
the  kiss  which  he  took  as  of  right  from  a  creature  so 
beautiful.  Chiding  him  for  his  folly,  yet  almost  returning 
the  kiss  which  she  received,  Brenhilda  began  now  to 
wonder  how  they  were  to  find  their  way  to  the  presence 
of  the  Emperor. 

The  query  was  soon  solved,  for  a  gentle  knock  at  the 
door  announced  Agelastes,  to  whom,  as  best  acquainted 
with  the  Frankish  manners,  had  been  committed,  by  the 
Emperor,  the  charge  of  introducing  the  noble  strangers. 
A  distant  sound,  like  that  of  the  roaring  of  a  lion,  or  not 
unsimilar  to  a  large  and  deep  gong  of  modern  times,  inti- 
mated the  commencement  of  the  ceremonial.  The  black 
slaves  upon  guard,  who,  as  hath  been  observed,  were  in 
small  numbers,  stood  ranged  in  their  state  dresses  of 
white  and  gold,  bearing  in  one  hand  a  naked  sabre,  and 
in  the  other  a  torch  of  white  wax,  which  served  to  guide 
the  Count  and  Countess  through  the  passages  that  led  to 
the  interior  of  the  palace,  and  to  the  most  secret  hall  of 
audience. 

The  door  of  this  sanctum  sanctorum  was  lower  than 
usual,  a  simple  stratagem  devised  by  some  superstitious 
officer  of  the  Imperial  household,  to  compel  the  lofty- 
crested  Frank  to  lower  his  body,  as  he  presented  himself 
in  the  Imperial  presence.  Robert,  when  the  door  flew 
open,  and  he  discovered  in  the  background  the  Emperor 
seated  upon  his  thi'one  amidst  a  glare  of  light,  which  was 
broken  and  reflected  in  ten  thousand  folds  by  the  jewels 
with  which  his  vestments  were  covered,  stopt  short,  and 
demanded  the  meaning  of  introducing  him  through  so  low 
an  arch  ?     Agelastes  pointed  to  the  Emperor  by  way  of 


286  WAVKIU.KY    NOVKLS. 

shifting  from  hiinstlf  a  quu.-tiun  which  he  eoiiM  not  have 
answered.  The  mute,  to  apologize  for  his  silence, 
ya\vn('(I,  anil   showed  the  loss  of  his  tongue. 

"Holy  Virgin!"  said  the  Countess,  "what  can  these 
unhappy  Africans  ha\e  done,  to  have  deserved  a  con- 
demnation which  involves  so  cruel  a  fate?" 

"The  hour  of  retribution  is  perhaps  come,"  said  the 
Count,  in  a  displeased  tone,  while  Agelastes,  with  such 
hurry  as  time  and  place  permitted,  entered,  making  his 
prostrations  and  genuflections,  little  doubting  that  the 
Frank  must  follow  him,  and  to  do  so  must  lower  his  body 
to  the  Emperor.  The  Count,  however,  in  the  height  of 
displeasure  at  the  trick  which  he  conceived  had  been 
intended  him,  turned  himself  round,  and  entered  the 
presence-chamber  with  his  back  purposely  turned  to  the 
sovereign,  and  did  not  face  Alexius  until  he  reached  the 
middle  of  the  apartment,  when  he  was  joined  by  the 
Countess,  who  had  made  her  approach  in  a  more 
seemly  manner.  The  P2mperor,  who  had  prepared  to 
acknowledge  the  Count's  expected  homage  in  the  most 
gracious  manner,  found  himself  now  even  more  un- 
pleasantly circumstanced  than  when  this  uncompromising 
Frank  had  usurj)ed  the  royal  throne  in  the  course  of 
the  day. 

Tiie  oirici.'rs  and  nobles  who  stood  aroimd,  though  a 
very  select  number,  were  more  nmnerous  than  usual,  as 
the  meeting  was  not  held  for  couir-el,  l}iit  menly  for 
state.  Tiicse  assumed  such  an  appearance  of  mingled 
displeasure  and  confusion  as  might  best  suit  with  the  per- 
plexity of  Alexius,  while  the  wily  features  of  tiie  Norman- 
Italian,  liohemond  of  Tarentum,  who  was  also  present, 
had  a  singular  mixture  of  fantastical  glee  and  derision. 
It  is  the  misfortune  of  tlie  weaker  on  such  occasions,  or 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  287 

at  least  the  more  timid,  to  be  obliged  to  take  the  petty- 
part  of  winking  bard,  as  if  not  able  to  see  what  they 
cannot  avenge. 

Alexius  made  the  signal  that  the  ceremonial  of  the 
grand  reception  should  immediately  commence.  Instantly 
the  lions  of  Solomon,  Avhich  had  been  newly  furbished, 
raised  their  heads,  erected  their  manes,  brandished  their 
tails,  until  they  excited  the  imagination  of  Count  Robert, 
who,  being  already  on  fire  at  the  circumstances  of  his 
reception,  conceived  the  bellowing  of  these  automata  to 
be  the  actual  annunciation  of  immediate  assault.  Whether 
the  lions,  wdiose  forms  he  beheld,  were  actually  lords  of 
the  forest, — whether  they  were  mortals  who  had  suffered 
transformation, — whether  they  were  productions  of  the 
skill  of  an  artful  juggler  or  profound  naturalist,  the 
Count  neither  knew  nor  cared.  All  that  he  thought  of 
the  danger  was,  that  it  was  worthy  of  his  courage  ;  nor 
did  his  heart  permit  him  a  moment's  irresolution.  He 
strode  to  the  nearest  lion,  which  seemed  in  the  act  of 
springing  up,  and  said,  in  a  tone  loud  and  formidable  as 
its  own,  "  How  now,  dog ! "  At  the  same  time  he  struck 
the  figure  with  his  clenched  fist  and  steel  gauntlet  with  so 
much  force,  that  its  head  burst,  and  the  steps  and  carpet 
of  the  throne  were  covered  with  wheels,  springs,  and 
other  machinery,  which  had  been  the  means  of  producing 
its  mimic  terrors. 

On  this  display  of  the  real  nature  of  the  cause  of  his 
anger,  Count  Robert  could  not  but  feel  a  little  ashamed 
of  having  given  way  to  passion  on  such  an  occasion.  He 
was  still  more  confused  when  Bohemond,  descending  from 
his  station  near  the  Emperor,  addressed  him  in  the  Frank 
language  ; — "  You  have  done  a  gallant  deed,  truly.  Count 
Robert,  in  freeing  the  court  of  Byzantium  from  an  object 


288  -WAVKKI-KY    NOVELS. 

of  frar  wliicli  Ikis  lung  burn  u-c-il  tu  tViglitfii  peevish  chil- 
(licii  and  iinnilv  barbarliins  !  " 

Entliii-ia-in  lias  no  greater  enemy  than  riilicule.  "  Why, 
then,"  said  Count  Robert,  blushing  d<'<'[dy  at  the  same 
time,  "  (lid  they  exhibit  its  fantastic  terrors  to  mc  ?  I  am 
neither  child  nor  barbarian." 

"Address  yourself  to  the  Empiror.  then,  as  an  intelli- 
gent man,"  answered  Bohemond.  "  Say  something  to  him 
in  excuse  of  your  conduct,  and  show  that  our  bravery  has 
not  entinly  run  away  with  our  common  sense.  And 
hark  you  also,  while  I  have  a  moment's  speech  of  you, — 
do  you  and  your  wife  heedfully  follow  my  example  at 
supper!"  These  words  were  spoken  with  a  >igni(i(ant 
tone  and  correspomling  look. 

The  oi)inioii  of  IJohemond,  from  his  long  intercourse, 
both  in  peace  and  war,  with  the  Grecian  Emperor,  gave 
him  great  influence  with  the  other  crusaders,  and  Count 
Robert  yiehled  to  his  advice.  lie  turned  towards  the 
Emperor,  with  something  liker  an  obeisance  than  he  had 
hitherto  paid.  "  I  crave  your  jjardon,"  he  said,  "  for 
breaking  that  gilded  piece  of  pageantry  ;  but,  in  sooth, 
the  wonders  of  sorcery,  and  the  portents  of  accomi)lished 
and  skilful  jugglers,  are  so  numerous  in  this  eoiMitry,  that 
one  does  ncjt  clearly  distinguish  wliat  is  tiiir  from  what  is 
false,  or  what  is  real  from  what  is  illusory." 

The  Emperor,  notwithstanding  the  presence  of  mind 
for  which  he  was  remarkal)le,  and  the  courage  in  which 
he  was  not  h»dd  by  his  countrymen  to  be  deficient,  re- 
ceived this  apology  somewhat  awkwardly.  Pi'rha|)s  the 
rueful  complaisance  with  which  he  acccptetl  the  Count's 
apology,  might  be  best  com{)ared  to  that  of  a  lady  of  the 
present  day  when  an  awkward  guest  has  broken  a  valu- 
able piece  of  china.      lie  nuiltirrd  something  about  the 


COUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS.  289 

machines  having  been  long  preserved  in  the  Imperial 
family,  as  Ix'ing  made  on  the  model  of  those  which  guarded 
the  throne  of  the  wise  King  of  Israel ;  to  which  the  blunt 
plain-spoken  Count  expressed  his  doubt  in  reply,  whether 
the  wisest  prince  in  the  world  ever  condescended  to 
frighten  his  subjects  or  guests  by  the  mimic  roarings  of 
a  wooden  lion.  "  If."  said  he,  "  I  too  hastily  took  it  for 
a  living  creature,  I  have  had  the  worst,  by  damaging 
my  excellent  gauntlet  in  dashing  to  pieces  its  timber 
skull." 

The  Emperor,  after  a  little  more  had  been  said,  chiefly 
on  the  same  subject,  proposed  that  they  should  pass  to 
the  banquet-room.  Marshalled,  accordingly,  by  the  grand 
sewer  of  the  Imperial  table,  and  attended  by  all  present, 
excepting  the  Emperor  and  the  immediate  members  of 
his  family,  the  Frankish  guests  were  guided  through  a 
labyrinth  of  apartments,  each  of  which  was  filled  with 
wonders  of  nature  and  art,  calculated  to  enhance  their 
opinion  of  the  wealth  and  grandeur  which  had  assembled 
together  so  much  that  Avas  wonderful.  Their  passage 
being  necessarily  slow  and  interrupted,  gave  the  Emperor 
time  to  change  his  dress,  according  to  the  ritual  of  his 
court,  which  did  not  permit  his  appearing  twice  in  the 
same  vesture  before  the  same  spectntors.  He  took  the 
opportunity  to  summon  Agelastes  into  his  presence,  and, 
that  their  conference  might  be  secret,  he  used,  in  assist- 
ing his  toilet,  the  agency  of  some  of  the  mutes  destined 
for  the  service  of  the  interior. 

The  temper  of  Alexius  Comnenus  was  considerably 
moved,  although  it  was  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  his 
situation  to  be  ever  under  the  necessity  of  disguising  the 
emotions  of  his  mind,  and  of  affecting,  in  presence  of  his 
subjects,  a  superiority  to  human  passion,  which  he  was 
VOL.  xLvn.  19 


290  WAVKKI.KY     NOV  1.1. S. 

tar  from  f(>«Ming.  It  was  therefore  with  gravity,  and  even 
reprehension,  tliat  he  :usked,  "  By  whose  error  it  was  that 
the  wily  Boheniond,  half-Italian,  and  half-Xorman,  was 
present  at  this  interview?  Snrely,  if  there  In,'  one  in  the 
crusading  army  likely  to  eonduct  that  foolish  ydulh  and 
his  wife  behind  the  scenes  of  the  exhibition  by  which  we 
hoped  to  impose  upon  them,  tin;  Count  of  Tarentum,  as 
he  entitles  himself,  is  that  person." 

"  It  was  that  old  man,"  said  Agelastes,  "  (if  I  may  reply 
and  live,)  Michael  Cantacuzene,  who  deemed  that  his 
presence  was  peculiarly  desireil ;  but  he  returns  to  the 
cjimp  this  veiy  night." 

"  Yes,"  said  Alexius,  "  to  inform  Godfrey,  and  the  rest 
of  the  crusaders,  that  one  of  the  boldest  and  m<i>t  highly 
esteemed  of  their  number  is  left,  with  his  wife,  a  hostage 
in  our  Imperial  city,  and  to  bring  back,  perhaps,  an 
alternative  of  instant  war,  unless  they  arc  delivered 
up !  " 

"  If  it  is  your  Imperial  Ilighness's  will  to  think  so," 
said  Agelastes,  "  you  can  suffer  Count  Robert  and  his 
wife  to  return  to  the  camp  with  the  Itiilian-Xorman." 

"  "NVliat  ?  "  answered  the  Emperor,  ''and  so  lose  all 
the  fruits  of  an  enterprise,  the  preparations  for  which 
have  already  cost  us  so  much  in  actual  expense ;  and, 
were  our  heart  made  of  the  same  stuff  with  that  of  ordi- 
narv  mortals,  would  have  cost  ns  so  much  more  in  vexa- 
ti(»n  anrl  anxiety  ?  No,  no  ;  issue  warning  to  the  crusaders, 
who  are  still  on  the  hither  side,  that  farther  rendering  of 
homage  is  dispensed  with,  and  that  they  repair  to  the 
quays,  on  the  banks  of  the  Bosphorus,  by  peep  of  light 
to-morrow.  Let  our  admiral,  as  he  values  his  head,  piusg 
everv  man  of  them  over  to  the  farther  side  In-fore  noon. 
Let  then.'  be  largesses,  a   pi-ineejy  bancjiiet   on  ilie  fartlier 


COUNT  noiiKirr  of  paufs.  291 

bank — all  that  may  increase  their  anxiety  to  pass.  Then, 
Agelastes,  we  will  trust  to  ourselves  to  meet  this  addi- 
tional danger,  either  by  bribing  the  venality  of  Bohe- 
mond,  or  by  bidding  defiance  to  the  crusaders.  Their 
forces  are  scattered,  and  the  chief  of  them,  with  the 
leaders  themselves,  are  all  now — or  by  far  the  greater 
part — on  the  east  side  of  the  Bosphorus. — And  now  to 
the  banquet !  seeing  that  the  change  of  dress  has  been 
made  sufficient  to  answer  the  statutes  of  the  household ; 
since  our  ancestors  chose  to  make  rules  for  exhibiting  us 
to  our  subjects,  as  priests  exhibit  their  images  at  their 
shrines ! " 

"  Under  grant  of  life,"  said  Agelastes,  "  it  was  not  done 
inconsiderately,  but  in  order  that  the  Emperor,  ruled  ever 
by  the  same  laws  from  father  to  son,  might  ever  be  re- 
garded as  something  beyond  the  common  laws  of  human- 
ity— the  divine  image  of  a  saint,  therefore,  rather  than  a 
human  being." 

"  We  know  it,  good  Agelastes,"  answered  the  Emperor, 
with  a  smile  ;  "  and  we  are  also  aware,  that  many  of  our 
subjects,  like  the  worshippers  of  Bel  in  holy  writ,  treat 
us  so  far  as  an  image,  as  to  assist  us  in  devouring  the 
revenues  of  our  provinces,  which  are  gathered  in  our 
name,  and  for  our  use.  These  things  we  now  only  touch 
lightly,  the  time  not  suiting  them." 

Alexius  left  the  secret  council  accordingly,  after  the 
order  for  the  passage  of  the  crusaders  had  been  written 
out  and  subscribed  in  due  form,  nnd  in  the  sacred  ink  of 
the  Imperial  chancery. 

Meantime,  the  rest  of  the  company  had  arrived  in  a 
hall,  which,  like  the  other  apartments  in  the  palace,  was 
most  tastefully  as  well  as  gorgeously  fitted  up,  except 
that  a  table,  which  presented   a  princely  banquet,  might 


'292  WAVKin.KV    NOVKLS. 

Iiave  bet'n  deemed  fiiully  in  tliis  respect,  tliat  the  dishes, 
which  were  most  sphMidid,  botii  in  the  materials  of  which 
they  were  composed,  and  in  the  viands  whii-li  they  liehl, 
were  elevated  by  means  of  feet,  so  as  to  be  upon  a  level 
with  female  guests  as  they  sat,  and  with  men  as  they  lay 
recumbent  at  the  banquet  which  it  offered. 

Around  stood  a  number  of  black  slaves  lichly  attired, 
wliilc  the  grand  si'wcr,  IMicliacl  Cantacuzene,  arranged 
llie  strangers  with  Jiis  golden  wand,  and  conveyed  orders 
to  them,  by  signs,  that  all  should  remain  standing  around 
the  table,  until  a  signal  should  be  given. 

The  upper  end  of  the  board,  thus  furnished,  and  thus 
surrounded,  was  hidden  by  a  curtain  of  muslin  and  silver, 
which  fell  from  the  top  of  the  arch  under  which  the  up- 
j»er  part  seemed  to  pass.  On  this  curtain  tin-  sewer 
ke|)t  a  wary  eye  ;  and  when  lie  observed  it  slightly 
shake,  he  waved  his  waml  <»('  ollic.',  and  all  cxpecicd  the 
result. 

As  if  self-movrd,  tlir  mystic  curtain  ;ii(p-c,  and  dis- 
covered beiiind  it  a  throne  eight  steps  higher  llian  the 
end  of  the  table,  decorated  in  the  most  magnilicent 
manner,  and  having  placed  before  it  a  small  tabh;  of 
ivory  inlaid  with  silver,  behind  which  was  seated  Alexius 
Comnenu.-.  in  a  dress  entirely  dilferent  from  what  he  had 
worn  in  the  course  of  the  day.  and  so  much  more  gorgeous 
than  his  former  vestments,  that  it  seemed  not  unnatural 
that  his  subjects  should  prostrate  themselves  before  a 
figure  so  splendid.  His  wife,  his  daughter,  and  his  son- 
in-law  the  C'a'sar,  stcmd  behind  him  with  faces  bent  to  tiie 
ground,  and  it  \va-  with  deep  luiinilily,  that,  descending 
trom  the  throne  at  the  Kmperor's  command,  tliev  mingled 
with  the  guests  of  the  lower  lalile,  and,  exalted  as  they 
wcie.  procecMled    to   llie  festive   board  at    the  -it'iial  of  the 


COUNT    KOMKUT    OF    TAHIS.  293 

grand  sewer.  So  that  they  could  not  be  said  to  partake 
of  the  repast  witli  the  Emperor,  nor  to  be  placed  at  the 
Imperial  table,  although  they  supped  in  his  presence,  and 
were  encouraged  by  his  repeated  request  to  them  to  make 
good  cheer.  No  dishes  presented  at  the  lower  table  were 
offered  at  the  higher ;  but  Avines,  and  more  delicate  sorts 
of  food,  which  arose  before  the  Emperor  as  if  by  magic, 
and  seemed  designed  for  his  own  proper  use,  were  repeat- 
edly sent,  by  his  special  directions,  to  one  or  other  of  the 
guests  whom  Alexius  delighted  to  honour — among  these 
the  Franks  being  particularly  distinguished. 

The  behaviour  of  Bohemond  was  on  this  occasion  par- 
ticularly remarkable. 

Count  Robert,  who  kept  an  eye  upon  him,  both  from 
his  recent  words,  and  owing  to  an  expressive  look  which 
he  once  or  twice  darted  towards  him,  observed,  that  in  no 
liquors  or  food,  not  even  those  sent  from  the  Emperor's 
own  table,  did  this  astucious  prince  choose  to  indulge.  A 
piece  of  bread,  taken  from  the  canister  at  random,  and  a 
glass  of  pure  water,  was  the  only  refreshment  of  which 
he  was  pleased  to  partake.  His  alleged  excuse  was,  the 
veneration  due  to  the  Holy  Festival  of  the  Advent,  which 
chanced  to  occur  that  very  night,  and  which  both  the 
Greek  and  Latin  rule  agree  to  hold  sacred. 

"  I  had  not  expected  this  of  you,  Sir  Bohemond,"  said 
the  Emperor,  ''  that  you  should  have  refused  my  personal 
hospitality  at  my  own  board,  on  the  very  day  on  whicli 
you  honoured  me  by  entering  into  my  service  as  vassal 
ibr  the  principality  of  Antioch." 

•'  Antioch  is  not  yet  conquered,"  said  Sir  Bohemond ; 
"  and  conscience,  dread  sovereign,  must  always  have  its 
exceptions,  in  whatever  temporal  contracts  we  may  en- 
gage." 


294  WAVI.KI.KY    XOVKI.S. 

"  Come,  gentle  Count,"  sjiid  tlie  Enipei'dr,  who  ol»- 
vionslv  rt'giinle.l  Pxiheniond's  inlio-pitable  liiiinonr  as 
soiiu'lliing  arising  more  from  suspicion  tlian  devolitui, 
"  we  invite,  tliougii  it  is  not  our  custom,  our  children, 
our  nohle  guests,  and  our  principal  officers  here  present, 
to  ii  general  carouse.  Fill  the  cups  called  the  Nine 
Muses !  let  them  be  brimful  of  the  wine  which  is  said 
to  be  sacred  to  the  Imperial  lips ! " 

At  the  Emperor's  command  the  cups  were  filled ;  they 
were  of  pure  gold,  and  there  was  richly  engraved  upon 
each  the  etfigy  of  the  ^fuse  to  whom  it  was  dedicated. 

"  You  at  least."  said  the  Emperor.  "  my  gentle  Count 
Robert,  you  and  your  lovely  laily  will  not  have  any 
scruph?  to  pledgi;  your  Imperial   liost  ? " 

"  If  that  scruple  is  to  imply  suspicion  of  the  jjrovisions 
with  which  we  are  here  served,  I  disdain  to  nourish  such," 
said  Count  Robert.  "  If  it  is  a  sin  which  I  commit  by 
ttisting  wine  to-night,  it  is  a  venial  one  ;  nor  shall  I 
greatly  augment  my  load  by  carrying  it.  with  the  rest  of 
my  trespasses,  to  the  next  confessional." 

"Will  you  then.  Prince  Bohemoml.  not  be  ruled  by 
the  conduct  of  your  friend?"  said  the  Kmperor. 

"  Methinks,"  replied  the  Norman-Italian.  "  my  friend 
might  liav(;  done  Ix-ttei'  to  have  l)een  iiiled  by  mine  :  but 
be  it  as  his  wis(lr)m  plea<es.  The  llavonr  of  sneb  ex(|ui- 
site  wine  is  sntlieienl  for  me." 

So  saying,  he  emptied  the  wine  into  another  goblet, 
and  seemed  alternately  to  admire  the  carving  of  tlie  cu|), 
and  llie  fiavour  of  what  it  had  lately  contained. 

"You  are  rigiit.  Sir  Bohemond,"  said  the  Kmperor; 
"  tin-  fabric  of  that  cup  is  beautiful ;  it  was  don<'  by  one 
of  the  ancient  gravers  of  Greece.  The  boasted  cup  of 
Nt.'stor,  which  Homer  ha-  banded  down  to  us.  wa-  a  gocnl 


COUNT    R015KRT    OF    TAIUS.  295 

deal  larger  perhaps,  but  neither  equalled  these  in  the 
value  of  the  material,  nor  the  exquisite  beauty  of  the 
workmanship.  Let  each  one,  therefore,  of  my  stranger 
guests,  accept  of  the  cup  which  he  either  has  or  might 
have  drunk  out  of,  as  a  recollection  of  me ;  and  may  the 
expedition  against  the  infidels  be  as  propitious  as  their 
confidence  and  courage  deserve!  " 

"  If  I  accept  your  gift,  mighty  Emperor,"  said  Bohe- 
mond,  "  it  is  only  to  atone  for  the  apparent  discourtesy, 
when  my  devotion  compels  me  to  decline  your  Imperial 
pledge,  and  to  show  you  that  we  part  on  the  most  inti- 
mate terms  of  friendship." 

So  saying,  he  bowed  deeply  to  the  Emperor,  who  an- 
swered him  with  a  smile,  into  which  was  thrown  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  sarcastic  expression. 

"And  I,"  said  the  Count  of  Paris,  "having  taken  upon 
my  conscience  the  fault  of  meeting  your  Imperial  pledge, 
may  stand  excused  from  incurring  the  blame  of  aiding  to 
dismantle  your  table  of  these  curious  drinking-cups.  We 
empty  them  to  your  health,  and  we  cannot  in  any  other 
respect  profit  by  them." 

"  But  Pi'ince  Bohemond  can,"  said  the  Emperor  ;  "  to 
whose  quarters  they  shall  be  carried,  sanctioned  by  your 
generous  use.  And  we  have  still  a  set  for  you,  and  for 
your  lovely  Countess,  equal  to  that  of  the  Graces,  though 
no  longer  matching  in  number  the  nymphs  of  Parnassus. 
— The  evening  bell  rings,  and  calls  us  to  remember  the 
hour  of  rest,  that  we  may  be  ready  to  meet  the  labours 
of  to-morrow." 

The  party  then  broke  up  for  the  evening.  Bohemond 
left  tlie  palace  that  night,  not  forgetting  the  Muses,  of 
whom  he  was  not  in  general  a  devotee.  The  result  was, 
as  the  wily  Greek  had  intended,  that  he  had  established 


i'JG 


WA\  i;ki.i-.v   novkls. 


hctwccii  Holicinond  ami  I  In-  Count,  not  indood  a  qimrrcl, 
liiil  a  kind  of  diflTcnMicc  of  opinion  ;  H()lictnon<l  (t'dinf 
lliat  tilt'  (k'l-y  C'onnt  of  Paris  innst  tliink  his  oonduct 
sordiil  and  avarioions,  while  Connt  RobiTt  was  far  less 
inclined  than  befofo  to  iclv  on  hini  as  a  connsellof. 


..:-<■.  ■i^^ 


University  of  California  Library 
Los  Angeles 


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